Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

Electronic Voting

Chi Onwurah: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance on cybersecurity and verification of identity in electronic elections the Electoral Commission offers to organisations outside Government that are conducting such elections.

Mr Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission does not issue such guidance relating to non-governmental elections.

Prime Minister

Counter-terrorism

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Prime Minister, with reference to the letter of 7 September 2015 from the UK Permanent Representative to the UN to the President of the UN Security Council, on the military action against Reyaad Khan in Syria, for what reasons he did not cite the collective self-defence of Iraq from ISIL in his oral statement of 7 September 2015, Official Report, column 30.

Mr David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson) on 14 September 2015, UIN 9571, 9653 and 9656.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Brighton

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people received an assessment for both employment and support allowance and personal independence payment in (a) 2014 and (b) the first six months of 2015 in Brighton and Hove local authority area.

Priti Patel: The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Universal Credit

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects all NHS charges claim forms to include a box applicable for universal credit.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many outstanding sanctions and appeals are related to universal credit claimants not ticking the appropriate box on NHS charges claim forms when claiming help with NHS health costs in cases where the claim forms do not include such a box.

Priti Patel: We are in active conversations with the Department of Health about the content of their forms.

Work Capability Assessment: Mental Health

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what requirement there is on an assessor to report that a claimant reports suicidal thoughts or intentions during a work capability assessment.

Priti Patel: During a Work Capability Assessment there is a requirement to assess both physical and mental health risks. This is covered in the guidance issued to Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) healthcare professionals. Specifically, if a claimant indicates suicidal thoughts or intentions this is given careful and sensitive exploration by healthcare professionals to establish the full circumstances. There is a duty of care to act where appropriate, which may in some situations include calling the emergency services if the claimant is considered to be in substantial and imminent risk. If the claimants own GP is not aware then an agreed process is followed to inform the GP to ensure medical attention is provided.

Access to Work Programme: Young People

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information and support he provides to disabled young people claiming Access to Work for the first time.

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to ensure that disabled young people are informed about Access to Work when they leave education.

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department takes to ensure that an Access to Work award is agreed and support is in place before a disabled young person starts a new job.

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time is for an award to be agreed once an application for Access to Work has been submitted.

Justin Tomlinson: In 2014/15 the numbers of 18-24s helped by Access to Work was 2460, which is an increase of 18% over the year before and the largest number helped since our records began in 2007.Last year the government published the Young Disabled People’s Employment Portal, signposting young disabled people, their parents, carers, teachers and careers advisers to comprehensive sources of help and advice on employment support including Access to Work.You can find more information about it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/help-and-support-for-young-disabled-people-to-find-and-stay-in-work/help-and-support-for-young-disabled-people-to-find-and-stay-in-workIn addition, Access to Work has worked with stakeholders, including Department for Education; Further Education colleges; employment programme providers and a range of organisations who work with young disabled people, to promote Access to Work and introduce a new streamlined referral process to support young people in accessing supported internships or apprenticeships.Official statistics for waiting times for Access to Work applications are not readily available and to provide the information requested would incur disproportionate cost.

Children: Day Care

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the average proportion of income spent by parents on childcare in (a) the UK and (b) London in each of the last five years.

Priti Patel: No estimate has been made of the average proportion of income spent by parents on childcare in the UK and London in each of the last five years.

Pensions: British Nationals Abroad

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to help UK nationals access pensions which have been earned abroad.

Justin Tomlinson: The UK participates in EU regulations which allow a person to submit a single claim to pension in the EEA country where they last worked or the country of residence if it is different. That country will then coordinate with all the EEA countries where the claimant has a right to a pension so that each country can determine entitlement under its national legislation.Respecting the right of other countries to determine their own pension rules, the UK has also entered into a number of bilateral social security agreements with countries outside the EEA which allow people to protect the pension entitlements they may have earned in each country.

Access to Work Programme

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be affected by the introduction of the individual award limit to the Access to Work scheme.

Justin Tomlinson: The annual limit on Access to Work awards of 1.5x average salaries (which currently equates to £40,800 per person per year) will be introduced for new customers from October 1st 2015.There are 200 current customers, (approximately 0.5% of the current caseload) who are currently above this level. Current customers with awards above that level as of 1st October 2015 will have their existing award levels protected until 1st April 2018, provided their needs remain the same.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 24 March 2015 to Question 228133, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 748 and pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2015 to Question 9414, why information on the number of hardship applications and the amount claimed in hardship payments will now no longer be available; and if he will make a statement.

Priti Patel: Information on the number of hardship applications and awards is available and will be published. Information on how much has been claimed in hardship payments is not available.

Motability

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many vehicles were purchased through the Motability scheme for each full calendar month in tax years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16; what the cost to the public purse was of those vehicles; and what the cost to the public purse was of vehicles purchased to replace vehicles earlier withdrawn from claimants who lost mobility allowance but later won return of that allowance on appeal.

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had their mobility allowance withdrawn requiring them to immediately return their Motability vehicle to the dealer for disposal in each full calendar month in tax years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16; and how many such people have won an appeal against the withdrawal of mobility allowance allowing them to return to a dealer to purchase a second Motability vehicle to aid their mobility.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department does not routinely collect information on the numbers of people who have had to return a Motability vehicle nor on whether they were successful on appeal. This information can only be provided at disproportionate cost.Motability is an independent registered charity. It is not sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Department works closely with Motability and facilitates the transfer of benefit to Motability on behalf of those claimants who have chosen to join the Motability Scheme. The Scheme purchases vehicles which are then leased to Scheme customers. The purchase of the vehicles is funded by the Scheme and there is no cost to the public purse.Responsibility for the charity’s policies and operational strategy falls to the Governors and Director of Motability. Motability is wholly responsible for the administration of the Motability scheme including collating its own management information. Questions about the number of vehicles returned to Motability and number of vehicles purchased can be sent to: Declan O'Mahony, Director, Motability, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex CM19 5PX.

Employment Schemes: Young People

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what reasonable adjustments will be made to support any disabled young person required to attend boot camp to prepare for employment under the Earn or Learn policy.

Priti Patel: From April 2017, we will be introducing the new Youth Obligation for Universal Credit (UC) claimants aged 18-21 who will be expected and supported to look for work. This new programme of support will help young people develop skills and experience to get and keep work.The first three weeks of this will be a Work Coach led Intensive Activity Period (IAP), where young people on the Youth Obligation will complete a set curriculum of activity designed to help establish them as effective full time job-seekers straight away and support them into work as soon as possible.Any requirements placed on claimants through the Youth Obligation will be reasonable and tailored to their individual needs and capabilities, taking into consideration any health condition they may have.We will set out our policy design for disabled young people under the Youth Obligation in due course.

Department for Work and Pensions: Maladministration

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many letters of apology for an administrative error have been sent by his Department in each of the last five years.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not available.

Social Security Benefits

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish statistics for (a) first- and (b) second-time refusals and successful tribunal appeals for (i) employment and support allowance and (ii) personal independence payment claims.

Justin Tomlinson: Information on Employment and Support Allowance decisions can be found at the link below -https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/459096/esa-wca-summary-sept-2015.xlsInformation on Personal Independence Payment decisions can be found at the link below –https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/personal-independence-payment-statisticsInformation in relation to Mandatory Reconsiderations - “second-time refusals” - is not available. The Department has plans to look into what it might be possible to publish on Mandatory Reconsiderations in the existing regular statistical publications, including information on outcomes. As each publication is ready, DWP statisticians will pre-announce any changes in accordance with the UKSA release protocols.Information on appeals is published by the Ministry of Justice and can be found at the link below:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-april-to-june-2015

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2015 to Question 10000, whether the milestone set in autumn 2014 of reaching 100,000 universal credit claims by May 2015 was achieved; and if he will make a statement.

Priti Patel: The Universal Credit programme has hit, or is on target to achieve, all of the milestones the Secretary of State set out in Autumn 2014.

Employment Schemes: Young People

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department provides to disabled young people who are required to take traineeships or unpaid work experience under the Earn or Learn policy.

Priti Patel: Jobcentre Plus will help meet the costs of any reasonable adjustments where appropriate to enable the young person to participate in a work experience placement. Certain expenses, such as child care costs and travel can also be reimbursed.Young people participating in a traineeship can qualify for existing financial support, including the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, Free Meals, and Learning and Learner Support funding for 19 to 24 year olds. Access to Work is also available for the work experience placement of their traineeship if they have a disability or health condition that affects their ability to do a job, or means they have to pay extra work-related costs.Any policy changes under the Youth Obligation will be set out in due course.

Employment Schemes: Young People

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if a disabled young person will be able to make a claim under the Access to Work scheme if required to undergo a traineeship or unpaid work experience under the Earn or Learn policy.

Justin Tomlinson: Access to Work is available to individuals aged 16 or over whose disability or health condition affects the way they undertake employment or some pre-employment related activities. This would include a supported traineeship or a Jobcentre Plus Work Trial.

Home Office

Naturalisation: Fees and Charges

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department has received from naturalisation fees in each of the last four years.

Richard Harrington: The Home Office does not separately record naturalisation income. These figures cannot be obtained, except at disproportionate costs.

Police: Finance

Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to ensure that the ongoing police funding formula consultation contains an adequate equality impact assessment.

Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the exemptions requested by police and crime commissioners and chief constables in the ongoing police funding formula consultation; what progress has been made on that review; and if she will make a statement.

Mike Penning: The consultation on police funding arrangements closed on 15 September and the responses are being analysed. The Government will consider these responses carefully to determine what changes, if any, are required. At this stage final force-level allocations have not been set and will not be determined until we have completed our analysis. We will continue to engage with policing partners during this process and intend to provide information, including exemplifications of future allocations, as these develop.Alongside the development of the new funding model, we are developing a Policy Equalities Statement which will set out how this work has been completed in compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Asylum: Poverty

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will estimate the number of asylum seeker applicants in the UK who were living in poverty in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: If asylum seekers are destitute they are provided with support by the UK taxpayer. The support usually consists of accommodation and a cash allowance to cover essential living needs.The cash allowance is also provided if the asylum seeker is living with friends or relatives but needs assistance to meet their essential living needs.

Asylum: Syria

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of asylum seeker applications made by Syrian nationals in each of the last five years received a decision in (a) three, (b) six and (c) 12 months.

Mr John Hayes: The tables below shows the proportion of asylum claims from Syrian nationals which received an initial decision within 3 months, 6 months and 12 months from 2010 to 2013. This data is based on main asylum claimants who made a claim for asylum from 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2014. We aim to decide all straightforward asylum claims within six months. We recognise that asylum cases are often complex and require our full and thorough consideration, meaning that some decisions will take longer than six months. Those cases that do take longer than six months are actively managed to ensure they are concluded as promptly as possible.Year Application madeTime from Application to Date of DecisionDecision made within 3 MonthsWithin 6 MonthsWithin 1 YearMore than 1 YearNo Decision made20101175510Grand Total117551020112733620230Grand Total273362023020128197764211Grand Total8197764211201311301572039729Grand Total113015720397292014603103617734143Grand Total603103617734143

Asylum: Syria

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seeker applications were received from Syrian nationals in each of the last five years; and how many such applicants were (a) refused, (b) granted refugee status, (c) granted humanitarian protection and (d) granted discretionary leave to remain.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seeker applications were received in each of the last five years; and how many such applicants were (a) refused, (b) granted refugee status, (c) granted humanitarian protection and (d) granted discretionary leave to remain.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office publishes an analysis of applications for whole-year cohorts of asylum seekers to establish the overall success rates following appeal; this is available in Table as_06 (Asylum data table Volume 2) of the quarterly Immigration Statistics release. For the latest years, some cases will still be outstanding. This cohort analysis is therefore not able to provide a complete picture for the latest applications but for most years will provide the most complete description of the outcome for asylum seekers. The analysis of the outcomes of asylum applications are the recorded outcomes of the group (or cohort) of applicants in any one year, at a particular time. This dataset is updated, in full, annually and is currently available up to 2014.Insert TableA copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics April – June 2015, is available from https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.



Table 1
(Excel SpreadSheet, 8.71 KB)

Police

Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will estimate the effect on demand on policing services of budgetary reductions in other government departments.

Mike Penning: Home Office officials are working with the police and other government departments as part of the Spending Review preparations. This work includes understanding of the interface between the police and other agencies. We encourage greater joint working to continue to reduce crime and manage demand. The Department also welcomed the College of Policing report “Estimating demand on the police service", published in January, which included analysis of non crime demand. The report is available on the College of Policing website www.college.police.uk

Police Community Support Officers: Powers

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) financial implications for her Department and (b) potential risks to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and the public of proposals to give PCSOs powers of arrest.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has no plans to give powers of arrest to police community support officers (PCSOs); we have therefore made no assessment of the consequences of making such a change.On Wednesday 9 Septemer 2015, my Right Honourable friend the Home Secretary launched a consultation on reforming the powers of police staff and volunteers. The proposals set out in the consultation document seek to make police staff and volunteers more flexible in their roles by enabling Chief Constables to designate them with a wider range of powers, ensuring that they have the police powers necessary to do their job. The consultation also proposes a list of core powers that will be exclusively available to Constables, including Special Constables, and this list includes the power of arrest.

Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships: Internet

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to make the register of deaths of UK residents available online.

Richard Harrington: Under present legislation, the register of deaths in England and Wales contains details of all deaths which have taken place there, regardless of whether the deceased was a UK resident. Similar arrangements are in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Civil registration is a devolved matter.In England and Wales, information from the register of deaths is made available in the form of a certificate, on payment of the appropriate fee. Currently, there are no plans to change this process.

Refugees: Syria

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration she has given to the use of family reunions to facilitate resettlement within the Government's Syrian refugee programme.

James Brokenshire: We recognise that families may be separated because of the nature of conflict and persecution and the speed and manner in which those seeking asylum often flee their country of origin. Our refugee family reunion policy allows immediate family members of a person in the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection status - that is a spouse or partner and children under the age of 18, who formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country of origin - to reunite with them in the UK.The Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme was launched in January 2014 and is the first resettlement programme run by the UK to target support for refugees specifically on the basis of their vulnerability. On 7 September 2015, the Prime Minister announced a significant extension of the scheme, in recognition of the worsening crisis. We intend to resettle 20,000 refugees from Syria’s neighbouring countries over the lifetime of this Parliament.The scheme is helping those in the greatest need who cannot be supported effectively in the region by giving them protection and support in the UK. The current criteria for acceptance under the scheme will be expanded to ensure more of those in the greatest need are resettled, together with their family members, in the UK. Where possible, the Government working with UNHCR, aims to resettle all close family members and dependents together.Those resettled under the Syrian VPR scheme are eligible to act as sponsors under the family reunion provisions. This means that if their immediate family members are still abroad, and they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, they will be issued with a visa and the family will be able to reunite in the UK. Any family members who are already in the UK are also eligible to apply under the family reunion provisions.

Refugees: Syria

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many transit visas her Department has issued to Syrian refugees since May 2015.

Richard Harrington: In Q2 2015 (April to June – the latest period for which figures are available) no transit visas have been issued to Syrian refugees.

Heathrow Airport: Travel Requirements

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people arrived at Heathrow Airport without travel documents in the last year for which figures are available.

James Brokenshire: This information is not held centrally.

Refugees

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether refugees offered a home in Britain will be vetted before entry.

Richard Harrington: The operation of the UK’s resettlement schemes, including the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme, involves the UNHCR submitting potential cases for our consideration. The cases are then screened and considered by the Home Office for suitability for entry to the UK: we retain the right to reject individuals on security, war crimes or other grounds.

Police: Finance

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she will provide the information on the police formula requested by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands; and how the exemplifications described in Annex A of her Department's letter of 15 September 2015 will affect that force.

Mr John Hayes: The consultation on police funding arrangements closed on 15 September and the responses are being analysed. The Government will consider these responses carefully to determine what changes, if any, are required. We will continue to engage with policing partners during this process and intend to provide information, including exemplifications of future allocations, as these develop. At this stage final force-level allocations have not been set and will not be determined until we have completed our analysis.

Refugees: Syria

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 8 September 2015 to Question 47 by the Minister of Immigration to the Home Affairs Committee, how many Syrian refugees will be accommodated in order to meet the UNHCR requirement for 130,000 vulnerable Syrian refugees by 2016.

Richard Harrington: As the Prime Minister announced on 7 September, the Government will expand existing resettlement schemes to resettle 20,000 Syrians in need of protection during this Parliament. This is in addition to the thousands who receive protection in the UK under normal asylum procedures and through the refugee family reunion route. The UK is making a serious and substantial contribution to resettling vulnerable Syrian refugees. We will continue to work with the UNHCR and play our full part in helping these vulnerable people.

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Temporary Class Drug) (No. 2) Order 2015

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the contribution of the Minister for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice in the Second Delegated Legislation Committee on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Temporary Class Drug) (No. 2) Order 2015 on 14 September 2015, whether the family impact test will be included in all future impact assessments.

Mr John Hayes: As part of the policy development process Home Office officials are expected to consider the published Family Test guidance when assessing the impacts of the Department’s policies. In accordance with this guidance, the Family Test will be applied for all future orders seeking to control drugs that are dangerous or otherwise harmful when misused, where there are tangible impacts on families and it is proportionate to do so.

Visas: Business

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many entry visas for business purposes were granted to nationals of (a) China, (b) India, (c) Brazil, (d) Indonesia, (e) Malaysia, (f) Nigeria, (g) Tanzania and (h) Kenya in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2014-15.

James Brokenshire: The requested information is given in the table below, for skilled workers sponsored by business (Tier 2 of the Points Based System):[Insert table]The Home Office publishes statistics on entry clearance visa grants by work category in table vi_06_q_w (Entry clearance visas tables volume 2) within the ‘Immigration Statistics’ release.A copy of the latest release, “Immigration Statistics April to June 2015”, is available from the Library of the House and the Home Office website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release



Table 1
(Excel SpreadSheet, 8.91 KB)

Christianity: Pakistan

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's assessment of the risk of prosecution to Christians in Pakistan in its publication, Country Information and Guidance, Pakistan: Christians and Christian converts, published in February 2015, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the finding of the report commissioned by the British Pakistan Christian Association, entitled Education, Human Rights Violations in Pakistan and the Scandal Involving UNHRC and Asylum Seekers in Thailand, published in February 2015.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office will be considering the report commissioned by the British Pakistani Christian Association alongside a range of other material to make a full assessment of the situation of Christians in Pakistan, and will revise its country information and guidance if necessary.The Home Office considers that the treatment of asylum seekers in Thailand is primarily a matter for the Thai authorities.

Immigrants: Detainees

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the contribution of 26 March 2015 by the then Parliamentary under Secretary of State, on Immigration: Detention, Official Report, House of Lords, column 1587, what recent assessment she has made of changes in the number of people held in immigration removal centres; and what steps she is taking to reduce growth in such numbers.

James Brokenshire: Home Office published statistics show that as at 30 June 2015, 3418 people were in detention, an increase on the number recorded at the end of June 2014 (3,079). This data is available online https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2015/detention.Capacity of the detention estate is kept under constant review. Decisions will continue to be made according to operational priorities. Haslar Immigration Removal Centre was transferred back to the National Offender Management Service in April 2015, reducing the overall detention estate capacity.On 9 February the Home Secretary announced an independent review of detainee welfare in immigration detention, led by Stephen Shaw. The report is expected in the autumn and the Government will publish the report by laying it before Parliament, alongside the Government’s response to the recommendations.

Immigrants: Detainees

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been deported from each of the UK's refugee detention centres in each of the last five years.

Mr John Hayes: Theattachedtable provides the total number of people leaving detention and subsequently removed from the UK, in each year from 2010 to 2014. Deportations are a specific subset of removals which are enforced either following a criminal conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is conducive to the public good. The deportation order prohibits the person returning to the UK until such time as it may be revoked. It is not possible to identify deportations separately from total removals. The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of people leaving detention and subsequently removed within the Immigration Statistics release. Data on people leaving detention by reason are available in the latest release, Immigration Statistics April – June 2015 tables dt_08 from GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release



PQ 10646 Table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 25.5 KB)

Asylum: Deportation

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many refused asylum seekers have been forcibly removed from the country over the last five years.

Mr John Hayes: The attached tableshows the number of enforced removals from the United Kingdom for the last five years of people who had claimed asylum at some point.The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of enforced removals from the United Kingdom, within the Immigration Statistics release. Data relating to enforced removals are available in tables rv_01 and rv_01_q in Immigration Statistics: April – June 2015 on the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.



PQ Table 10642
(Excel SpreadSheet, 25 KB)

Refugees

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the contribution of refugees to the UK economy.

Richard Harrington: There are no current plans to undertake an assessment of the contribution of refugees to the UK economy. In September 2014, the Home Office published a report on the labour market characteristics of UK residents born abroad, which highlighted that the employment rate at that time was lowest among those who came originally as a refugee (47% for non-EEA).

Police: Finance

Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of funding within police budgets to deal with non-crime demands, such as cases involving missing persons.

Mr John Hayes: Police and Crime Commissioners, working with their Chief Officers, are responsible for allocating funding according to local priorities. This includes providing resources for cases involving missing persons. The Government is clear that the way that funding is allocated is currently opaque and out of date and have consulted on a new model to ensure fairness and transparency. The consultation closed on 15 September and responses are being analysed. The consultation drew on the recently published College of Policing report “Estimating demand on the police service” which included analysis of non crime demand. The report is available on the College of Policing website.

Asylum: Detainees

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of why those asylum seekers detained at the Dungavel facility had their applications refused in the last year; and what reasons were given in each case for that refusal.

Mr John Hayes: There were 222 asylum claimants who received a refusal decision on their asylum claim whilst held in detention at Dungavel Removal Centre over the past 12 months. Each asylum claim is considered on its individual merits and where an individual is found to be in genuine need of our protection, asylum is granted.

Deportation: Expenditure

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much the Government has spent on deportations in each of the last five years.

Mr John Hayes: This information is not recorded on an annual basis, so cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost

Females: Crimes of Violence

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to eradicate violence against women and girls.

Richard Harrington: The United Kingdom has some of the strongest protections in the world to safeguard women and girls and the Government is wholly committed to protecting women and girls from violence and supporting victims and survivors. Over the course of the previous Parliament our achievements included:• making domestic abuse an offence to capture controlling and coercive behaviour;• rolling out Domestic Violence Protection Orders and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme nationally;• criminalising forced marriage;• introducing new stalking laws;• criminalisation of realistic depictions of rape and revenge pornography;• strengthening the law on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), including mandatory reporting; and• introducing new civil orders to manage sex offenders and FGM protection orders.This Government will build on those achievements by doing more to intervene earlier in the abuse cycle including doing more to deter and rehabilitate perpetrators, as well as to continue to improve protection for victims and to bring offenders to justice. We recognise the importance of specialist services and will work with local authorities, the NHS and Police and Crime Commissioners to ensure a secure future for specialist Female Genital Mutilation and forced marriage units, refuges and rape support centres. The work will be set out in a refreshed version of the previous Government’s strategy, A Call to End Violence against Women and Girls, which will be published later this year.The previous Government ring-fenced £40 million (£10 million per year) for services and helplines supporting women and girls who have suffered abuse. This Government has committed to continuing that funding to April 2016 and has provided an additional funding for this period: £10 million for refuges, a £3 million fund to boost the provision of domestic violence services including refuges and an uplift of £7 million for victims of sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

*No heading*

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle abuse of the immigration system.

James Brokenshire: The Immigration Act 2014 has expedited the removal of over 1,400 foreign national offenders from this country and stopped illegal migrants having access to services such as, bank accounts, driving licences and rented accommodation.The Immigration Bill will go further, enabling the seizure of earnings from illegal workers, further penalising rogue employers, and extend the deport first, appeal later principle to more cases.

*No heading*

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will extend the scope of the refugee family reunion rules in response to the current crisis.

Richard Harrington: Our refugee family reunion policy is intended to allow immediate family members, that is, spouse or partner and children under the age of 18, who formed part of the family unit at the time their sponsor fled, to rebuild their lives in the UK. We have no plans to widen the family reunion criteria. But under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme we are working closely with the UNHCR to resettle close family groups where at least one member qualifies under the scheme.

*No heading*

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role she has in authorising interception of hon. Members' communications.

Mrs Theresa May: All warrants for the interception of communications are authorised by a Secretary of State. I am not going to comment on any individual instances of interception.

*No heading*

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review the Government's target of reducing net migration to the tens of thousands.

James Brokenshire: The Government has no current plans to do so.

*No heading*

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the effect of domestic violence on children.

Karen Bradley: The Government recognises the life changing impact domestic abuse can have on the lives of children. That is why we have expanded the Troubled Families Programme to reach up to an additional 400,000 families from 2015/16, including those affected by domestic abuse.

*No heading*

Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the progress of police inquiries into historic child abuse cases.

Mrs Theresa May: The day-to-day investigation into cases of child sexual abuse, including abuse that has taken place in the past, is an operational matter for the police. The Home Office has funded Operation Hydrant, which is the national policing response to the oversight and co-ordination of all child abuse investigations concerning persons of public prominence or those offences which have taken place in institutional settings

Northern Ireland Office

Abortion: Northern Ireland

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to support women in Northern Ireland who cannot travel to Great Britain to have an abortion due to lack of money, lack of support or immigration issues.

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether she plans to bring forward proposals to reform the law on abortion in Northern Ireland.

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what her policy is on the purchasing of abortion medication on the internet; and what recent representations she has received on this subject.

Mr Ben Wallace: Any proposal to reform the law on abortion in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly. It is also for the Northern Ireland Executive to determine what support women receive to travel to Great Britain to have an abortion. Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office have received no recent representations on the purchasing of abortion medication on the internet.

Department of Health

Medical Records: Data Protection

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress he has made in reforming the Data Access Advisory Group; and what plans there are to update the Caldicott principles.

George Freeman: The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) has developed proposals to establish the Independent Group Advising on the Release of Data (IGARD), which will replace the current Data Access Advisory Group (DAAG). The new group will have an expanded remit, which is designed to drive improvements in decision-making in respect of data releases, specifically through increasing transparency, accountability, participation, quality and consistency.HSCIC has recentlyconcluded a consultation with the public and key stakeholders on the draft Terms of Reference for IGARD.The consultationran from 16 June to 31 August 2015. Forty-three organisations and individuals responded via the online web form, by electronic document and by letter. These responses will inform the process of managing the transition from DAAG to IGARD.Revised Caldicott principles were outlined in the Government’s response to the Caldicott Review Information: To Share or Not to Share published in September 2013. This document is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/caldicott-information-governance-review-department-of-health-responseThere are no plans to update these principles.

Action on Smoking and Health

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what contact his Department had with Action on Smoking and Health on the Tobacco Control Strategy 2011 before publication of that strategy.

Jane Ellison: Health Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England, states that the plan was developed in collaboration with local government representatives, public health advocacy groups, academics, clinicians, professional bodies and retailers.This included Action on Smoking and Health.

Diabetes

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what projections his Department has made for the number of people who will have diabetes by 2050.

Jane Ellison: The Department has made no such estimate.

Chronic Illnesses

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the NHS budget was spent on people with long-term health conditions in each financial year from 2000-01 to 2014-15; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: The most recent estimate on overall costs of long term conditions is set out in the Long Term Conditions Compendium of Information: Third Edition, which was published in 2012. The Compendium estimates that, in total, around 70% of the total health and care spend in England is attributed to caring for people with long term conditions.

Family Nurse Partnership Programme

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many families have been assisted by the Family Nurse Partnership in each NHS trust area in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: Information is not available in the format requested. The table shows the number of families actively taking part on the Family Nurse Partnership Programme (FNP) across England in each of the last five calendar years for which information is available.The FNP lasts for approximately two and a half years, from early pregnancy until the child’s second birthday. Some people can leave the programme before their child is two for a variety of reasons.There are currently over 16,500 FNP places available in England across 135 local authority areas.Year (1 January-31 December)Number of women active in year20105,45820116,16020128,40320139,981201411,850

Diabetes

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost to the NHS was of treating patients with diabetic retinopathy in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.

Jane Ellison: We do not hold this information in the format requested.

Cancer: Drugs

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received from charities and patients' groups on the future of the Cancer Drugs Fund; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: The Department has received a number of representations on this issue from a wide range of interested parties including hon. Members, noble Lords, patient representative groups and charities, the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals.This Government is committed to continuing to invest in the Cancer Drugs Fund which has helped over 72,000 people in England to receive the life-extending cancer drugs that would not otherwise have been routinely available to them.

Cancer: Drugs

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the number of unsuccessful applications made to the Cancer Drugs Fund since 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the number of patients who have made use of the Cancer Drugs Fund in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: Prior to April 2013, the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) was administered through clinical panels based in each strategic health authority (SHA). Information on the number of patients accessing the Fund in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 is shown below: Number of patients1 funded in 2010-11Number of patients funded in 2011-12Number of patients funded in 2012-13England2,78011,79815,456Source: Information provided to the Department by SHAs1 Some individual patients may be double-counted where a patient has received more than one drug treatment through the CDF.Information on the number of unsuccessful applications made to the CDF during this period was not collected centrally.Post April 2013, NHS England has had responsibility for the Fund and it publishes information on CDF activity including unsuccessful notifications routinely on its website. Information for 2013-14 and 2014-15 is available at:www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/pe/cdf/The CDF has already helped over 72,000 people in England to receive the life-extending cancer drugs that would not otherwise have been routinely available to them.

Medical Records: Data Protection

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department's policy is for the handling and release of patient data over the next five years; and what principles have informed that policy.

George Freeman: The Personalised Heath and Care 2020 National Information Board Framework for Action published in November 2014 outlined the Governments policy for handling and release of patient data over the next five years. The document is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personalised-health-and-care-2020The principles supporting this policy were outlined in Dame Fiona Caldecott’s Information Governance Review published in March 2013. The document is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-information-governance-review

World Health Organisation

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to offer support to the World Health Organisation to ensure that it is transparent, accountable and better able to respond to emergencies such as the ebola crisis.

Jane Ellison: We are working with other relevant Departments across Government, and as members of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board to drive the reform process. We want to ensure that WHO focuses on what it can do best and is better equipped to address the increasingly complex challenges of the 21st Century.In response to the Ebola crisis, we have committed up to $10million to the WHO Contingency Fund, to help finance the rapid scaling up of the WHO’s initial response to outbreaks and emergencies with health consequences. We are supporting the establishment of the Global Health Emergency Workforce and are developing plans to establish a United Kingdom rapid response team that would complement this mechanism. Linked to this we are working with WHO to ensure the establishment of a new emergency response platform which will unite and direct all WHO outbreak and emergency response operations within its mandate.We are also contributing to the member state driven governance reform process, to support ambitious reform of these aspects; including the establishment of a clear and accountable leadership across all levels of the organisation. As members of the Programme Budget and Administration Committee, we are pressing WHO to improve aspects of compliance controls, transparency and delivery of results.

Urinary System: Diseases

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many catheter associated urinary tract infection related deaths there were in the last three years.

Jane Ellison: This information is not available in the format requested.

Urinary System: Diseases

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were admitted to hospital as an emergency case with acute retention of urine due to a blocked Foley catheter in the last three years.

Jane Ellison: The requested information is not available centrally as Hospital Episode Statistics cannot identify blocked catheters or the type of catheter in use.

Incontinence

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with NHS England regarding the (a) commissioning of continence services and (b) guidelines for continence services.

Jane Ellison: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets representatives from NHS England on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues, including the commissioning of local NHS services.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from groups representing junior doctors on a new junior doctors' contract.

Alistair Burt: Two letters have been received from the chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA), Dr Mark Porter in response to the Secretary of State’s request for the BMA to re-enter negotiations with NHS Employers for a new junior doctors’ contract. Dr Porter also raised the issue of the junior doctors’ contract in a meeting with the Secretary of State on 10 September. In addition, 12 correspondents have identified themselves as doctors in training and have written directly.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the new junior doctors' contract to be published; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the report produced by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration entitled Contract reform for consultants and doctors and dentists in training - supporting heathcare services seven days a week, published on 16 July 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on the consultation on the revised junior doctors' contract; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: After the British Medical Association (BMA) left negotiations in October 2014, the Government asked the independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) to make recommendations on a new contract for junior doctors. The DDRB report published on 16 July considered evidence from employers, Government, the British Medical Association (BMA) and other interested parties and made recommendations on a new pay structure for doctors and dentists in training.The Secretary of State accepted the recommendations of the DDRB as the basis for implementing a new contract and invited the BMA to re-enter negotiations to take forward the recommendations with NHS Employers. Although the DDRB accepted the principles of the reforms there remained significant work to finalise and agree the details of the contract and it was expected that these would be agreed between the parties on the basis of a negotiation. It is disappointing that on 13 August the BMA announced that it would not re-engage in negotiations based on the independent report and absented itself from participating in making important design decisions on the new contract.The Government cannot accept that a Trade Union should have a veto on making changes to an outdated employment contract that the BMA agreed urgently needed reform. The Department has therefore asked NHS Employers to take forward the work of developing a new employment contract without the BMA. NHS Employers are arranging to consult with junior doctors and other interested stakeholders directly and will shortly launch a series of roadshows across the country. The Government would still welcome the BMA re-entering the negotiation.The new contract will prioritise safe care by strengthening safeguards on doctors’ working hours and reward junior doctors more fairly for the work they do. No financial savings will be made from implementing the new contract. It will be finalised in the new year and is due to be implemented from August 2016.

Hepatitis

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when Public Health England and NHS England's improvement framework for hepatitis C will be published.

Jane Ellison: A publication date for the hepatitis C framework has not yet been confirmed. While NHS England is progressing the hepatitis C framework, Public Health England continues working with NHS England and Operational Development Networks to establish a process of monitoring of treatment access and uptake.

Universal Credit

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on integrating universal credit with eligibility criteria for services provided by the NHS.

Alistair Burt: The Department of Health has been part of ongoing discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions, and other Government departments, on the best approach for enabling those in receipt of Universal Credit to receive entitlement to passported benefits. It has been agreed that a system of earnings thresholds will be introduced as claimant numbers expand to ensure that these benefits continue to be targeted at those who need them most.

Diabetes

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to increase public understanding of diabetes and its symptoms.

Jane Ellison: Change4Life, Public Health England’s (PHE) social marketing programme aimed at families with children aged 5 to 11 gives advice about healthy lifestyles in order to lower the risks of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, some cancers and heart disease. More than 2.7 million people have engaged with the campaign.PHE is currently developing a social marketing campaign for adults about improving their own health, encouraging them to make a number of lifestyle changes including taking more exercise, improving diet, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.The Department, building on the National Diabetes Prevention Programme, has committed to improving the outcomes for those with and at risk of diabetes. We will announce our plans in due course.

Diabetes: Children

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in children under five.

Jane Ellison: We are supporting the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of children with diabetes through a national best practice tariff, which sets out the standards of care and services that should be in place for children and young people in diabetes services. A round of peer review of all units providing care for children with diabetes was completed in September 2014. Through the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership we support the dedicated National Paediatric Diabetes Audit.

Drugs: Licensing

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the availability of drugs not yet approved by NICE.

George Freeman: Where a drug or treatment has not been appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, funding decisions should be made by the relevant commissioner, based on an assessment of the available evidence and on the basis of an individual patient’s clinical circumstances.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

UK Trade with EU

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the UK's annual trade balance was with the rest of the EU in each of the last three years.

Anna Soubry: Figures on UK’s trade balance with the EU are given in Table 1 below, sourced from ONS’ Balance of Payments 2015Q1 publication.UK trade balance with the EU201420132012-£62.5bn-£57.3bn-£39.5bnSource: ONS Balance of Payments 2015Q1

Arms Trade: Middle East

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many arms export licences of what value and type have been issued for exports to (a) Saudi Arabia and (b) Yemen in each of the last five years.

Anna Soubry: The Government publishes (on a quarterly and annual basis) comprehensive information about export licences granted and refused on gov.uk.A summary of the licences granted for export of military goods and technology to Saudi Arabia and Yemen for each of the last five full calendar years detailed below. Please note Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) are generally not limited by quantity or value and therefore we are unable to give a figure for the value of the goods that might be exported. 20102011201220132014Saudi Arabia Number of SIEL Licences105101125128129Value (£)£341,007,088£1,735,418,108£111,721,756£1,608,104,771£80,749,168Number of OIEL Licences520182019 20102011201220132014Yemen Number of SIEL Licences42026Value (£)£160,245£863,218£0£841,426£1,044,253Number of OIEL Licences00010

Trade Union Bill

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, for what reason nuclear decommissioning has been explicitly included within the provisions of clause 3 of the Trade Union Bill.

Nick Boles: Decommissioning the UK’s nuclear legacy safely and cost-effectively is an important national priority.Clause 3 of the Trade Union Bill introduces a threshold of 40 per cent for support to take part in industrial action in nuclear decommissioning and other important public sectors: fire, health, education, border force, and transport. This is because of the disruption a strike in these sectors would cause and the potential impact on public safety, national security and the economy.

Students: Grants

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, for what reasons maintenance grants are not available to people who are over 60 years old; and if he will make a statement.

Joseph Johnson: Students aged 60 or over at the start of the first academic year of their course do not qualify for a Maintenance Grant in the 2015/16 academic year. They can instead get a means-tested Special Support Grant toward the costs of books, equipment, travel and childcare. This has the same income thresholds and maximum amounts as the Maintenance Grant. The Special Support Grant, unlike the Maintenance Grant, is not taken into account as student income when DWP calculates means-tested DWP benefits for students aged 60 or over.

Arms Trade: Israel

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate his Department has made of the (a) number and (b) value of arms export licences issued for Israel in the last year.

Anna Soubry: The Government publishes comprehensive information about export licences granted and refused on gov.uk.The Government has granted 167 licences for export of military goods and technology to Israel in the last year.Of these 163 were for Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) with a value of £18,596,344 and 4 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs).OIELs are generally not limited by quantity or value and therefore we are unable to give a figure for the value of the goods that might be exported under OIELs.

Land: Ownership

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he expects the Land Registry to publish data on which foreign countries own which land property titles in England and Wales.

Anna Soubry: Land Registry has no plans to publish data on which foreign countries hold land and property titles in England and Wales.

Foreign Companies

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps the Government has taken to make property ownership by foreign companies more transparent.

Anna Soubry: The Prime Minister stated during a speech made in Singapore on 28 July that he will consult on the best way forward to extending what we ask of UK companies to foreign companies.He has also asked Land Registry from this autumn to publish data on which foreign companies own which land and property titles in England and Wales.

Companies: Ownership

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps the Government is taking to reform company law to require the disclosure of beneficial controlling interests of offshore companies.

Anna Soubry: From next year companies registered in the UK will be required to hold a register of people with significant influence or control over them. This information will be filed with Companies House, which will maintain a central, publicly accessible register.

Ministry of Defence

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the updated timescale is for certification of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

Mr Philip Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 September 2015 to Questions 10383 and 10385.http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=10383



Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
(Word Document, 14.83 KB)

Ministry of Defence: Radio Frequencies

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on retuning systems it operates as a result of the release of 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz spectrum bands.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence is currently forecasting a £47.1 million spend on remediation costs retuning systems from the 2.3GHz spectrum band. There are currently no known remediation costs associated with 3.4GHz.

Ministry of Defence: Radio Frequencies

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department paid in spectrum charges in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence paid the following amounts in radio spectrum fees:2010-11 £63,382,4642011-12 £154,878,4002012-13 £154,878,4002013-14 £154,878,4002014-15 £154,878,400

Ministry of Defence: Radio Frequencies

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his estimate is of spectrum charges payable by his Department for each financial year from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence estimates the following amounts in radio spectrum fees:2015-16 £121,900,000The radio spectrum fees for financial years 2016-17 to 2019-20 have yet to be agreed and are subject to negotiations with HM Treasury.

Armed Forces: Health Services

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much (a) direct resource and (b) capital departmental expenditure limit funding his Department received from the Department for Health in relation to the (i) provision of improved psychiatric support to the armed forces and (ii) Midlands Medical Accommodation project in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Mark Lancaster: The Department of Health (DoH) has provided Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) funding in support of improved mental health care for the Armed Forces and Capital DEL funding for the Midlands Medical Accommodation (MMA) project. These funding arrangements between the DoH and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) commenced in Financial Year 2011-2012. DoH funding in each of the last four Financial Years was:Financial Year2011-20122012-20132013-20142014-2015£ million£ million£ million£ millionImproved mental health care1.011.011.790.71MMA1926.672510DoH funding in support of improved mental health care has been spent in a number of areas including, but not limited to; the provision of mental health social workers; civilian and locum manpower and enhanced training, assessment and support tools.The figures shown in the table exclude DoH funding spent on MOD research associated with mental health issues, as it has not been possible to separately identify this from other expenditure.

Ministry of Defence: Redundancy Pay

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on redundancy schemes in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Mr Philip Dunne: The table below shows the annual costs for military and civilian Voluntary Early Release Scheme and redundancy payments for the last five financial years.Financial YearMOD Annual Report and Accounts Figures (£million)2010-11£189.222011-12£293.792012-13£180.822013-14£218.722014-15£141.68

Advanced Short-range Air-to-air Missile: Procurement

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is to the public purse of the contract to purchase the ASRAAM missiles from MBDA (UK) Ltd; and how many such missiles will be purchased as part of that contract.

Mr Philip Dunne: The ASRAAM contract awarded to MBDA(UK) Limited is worth some £300 million (excluding VAT) and covers the development, qualification and manufacture of operational, telemetry, and training missiles. I am withholding details of the number of missiles ordered as disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our Armed Forces and allies.

Advanced Short-range Air-to-air Missile

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department began testing the ASRAAM missiles on the F-35B Joint Striker Fighter; and when he expects that missile will be fully integrated into that aircraft.

Mr Philip Dunne: Integration testing of ASRAAM missiles onto F-35B aircraft commenced in summer 2014 and on current plans will be available in time for first aircraft delivery.

EU Defence Policy

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proposals his Department has for further defence integration between the armed forces of EU member states; and whether defence integration will be included in the Government's planned renegotiations of the terms of its membership of the EU.

Mr Julian Brazier: Her Majesty's Government is focused on delivering a successful renegotiation;we believe we can and will succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU and campaigning to keep the UK in the EU on that basis. Although we welcome closer co-operation between the armed forces of EU and NATO member states, this needs to be based on improving defence capabilities across Europe, not creating new institutions. We will not support measures which would undermine member states' competence for their own military forces, or lead to competition and duplication with NATO

Ministry of Defence: Government Contracts

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on liabilities arising from contract renegotiations in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Mr Philip Dunne: Ministry of Defence contracts are negotiated and amended as necessary during the course of normal business. In terms of which contracts were renegotiated and the liabilities paid, I am withholding the information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

Iraq: Military Intervention

George Kerevan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many requests from local or coalition forces for RAF strike missions against targets in Iraq he has rejected because they were deemed to have been in breach of British rules of engagement or posed an unacceptable risk of civilian casualties.

Michael Fallon: None because all targets which are put to me for approval are rigorously assessed in advance for compliance with UK rules of engagement, UK law and international law.

Iraq: Military Intervention

George Kerevan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the legal basis is for RAF aircraft entering and transiting Syrian airspace when flying from Akrotiri to bombing missions in Iraq.

Michael Fallon: RAF aircraft do not enter Syrian airspace when flying from Akrotiri to conduct strike missions in Iraq.

Army: Uniforms

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department is making of the location to be chosen for the manufacture of the Army's multi-terrain pattern uniforms.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a number of contracts to supply Multi-Terrain Pattern clothing for the UK Armed Forces. The MOD is required to comply with all legislation and relevant Government policy. Subject to these conditions the MOD does not restrict the geographical location of manufacture, however, it does expect contractors to carry out regular and appropriate inspections to provide assurance that sub-contractors' facilities and ways of working meet the MOD's contracted terms.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Homelessness

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on the future of the homelessness prevention grant.

Mr Marcus Jones: Our £500 million investment in local authority and voluntary sector homelessness services has contributed to local authorities preventing 935,800 households from becoming homeless since 2010. Together with other Departments, we are considering the overall level of funding for local government through the Spending Review.

Travellers: Caravan Sites

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the effect is of the change to planning policy guidance on the provision of permanent pitches for Gypsy and Traveller communities announced by his Department on 31 August 2015 on the obligation on local authorities to make such provision.

Brandon Lewis: The effect of our up-dated policy is that local planning authorities now need to make traveller site provision in their Local Plans only for those travellers who meet the new definition. Anyone from the travelling community who no longer travels will have their planning application considered in the same way as any other member of the settled population. In addition, in exceptional cases, where a local planning authority is burdened by a large-scale unauthorised site that has significantly increased their need, and their area is subject to strict and special planning constraints, then there is no assumption that the local planning authority is required to plan to meet their traveller site needs in full.

Housing: Construction

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps a local authority must take to revise a housing target provisionally set out in its local plan.

Brandon Lewis: Local Plans must be based on robust and up-to-date evidence and consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework. To revise a housing target an authority will need to take account of policy requirements in the Framework, planning guidance, and bring forward proposed changes in line with existing legal and procedural requirements. Planning policy is clear that Local Plans should be regularly reviewed to ensure that they are up to date, and planning guidance that wherever possible housing needs assessments should be informed by the latest available information.

Parking Offences

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assistance is available, from which bodies, to registered keepers of a vehicle who wish to dispute a parking penalty charge and under schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 must prove that the initial penalty charge notice issued by a private parking company was not received by post.

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many parking penalty charge notices issued by a private firm have been successfully appealed where the registered keeper has proved that a notice was (a) not sent by a private parking company and (b) not received by the registered keeper in the last year for which figures are available.

Mr Marcus Jones: We do not hold this information centrally.Information about independent appeals services is provided by the British Parking Association and the Independent Parking Committee. They also publish a code of practice which governs the operation of the appeals services.There are a number of other organisations which provde advice to motorists on parking such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Parking Offences

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will amend schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 so that it does not place a burden of proof on a registered keeper of a vehicle to provide evidence that a parking penalty charge notice issued by a private firm was not received by post.

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will publish guidance on how a registered vehicle keeper can provide evidence that an item of post they were not expecting has not been received so that they can comply with the provisions of Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

Mr Marcus Jones: We are currently conducting a review of off-street parking policy. A discussion paper entitled ‘Parking reform: tackling unfair practices was’ published earlier this year. We received in excess of 500 detailed responses to the discussion paper where the issue of burden of proof being on the registered keeper was raised. We are currently considering this issue as we develop policy options, and will publish a response in due course.

Enterprise Zones

Mims Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many enterprise zone bid applications have been received in each region.

James Wharton: I am delighted to confirm that we received 54 applications in the new Enterprise Zone bidding round by the closing date of Friday 18 September. The breakdown of applications is as follows;AreaNumber of bids receivedEast of England6East Midlands9North East2North West9South East9South West8West Midlands6Yorkshire & Humber5TOTAL54In view of the number of applications received, it will be a very competitive process and only the strongest bids will be selected.

Housing: Construction

Mims Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of new houses was built on brownfield land between May 2010 and May 2015.

Brandon Lewis: Statistics for 2013/14 were published in August 2015. These statistics showed that in 2013/14, 60 per cent of new residential addresses, including conversions to residential use, were created on previously developed land.The figures in the 2013/14 publication are the first in the new series and so are not directly comparable to the previous Land Use Change Statistics which last published data covering the year 2011.The Land Use Change Statistics provide the Department’s official source for estimating the proportion of new residential development on previously developed land (brownfield). They were historically collected from 1985 to 2011. The previous data collection was expensive to run. By switching to an innovative new methodology the Department has made significant savings whilst providing a statistical series more suitable for detailed statistical and spatial analysis than before.Historical Land Use Change statistics are available on the Department's website https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/land-use-change-statistics#archived-publications

Urban Areas: Regeneration

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what funding his Department provides to support high streets in seaside and coastal towns and villages; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones: Since 2010 we have committed over £18.53 million of public funding to support high streets, including in coastal towns and villages.In 2014 we launched the "Great British High Street" awards which includes a coastal town category.Since 2012 the Government's Coastal Communities Fund has also committed over £91 million to help coastal areas, including support for a range of projects that are contributing to the regeneration of high streets in a number of coastal towns including Blackpool, Chatham, Gravesend and Scarborough.

HM Treasury

Departmental Coordination: Tobacco

Mark Spencer: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the March 2015 Budget, what progress the Government has made on establishing a cross-government ministerial group to oversee future evolution of the anti-illicit tobacco strategy.

Damian Hinds: The refreshed strategy ‘Tackling illicit tobacco: from leaf to light’, published on 24 March 2015, makes it clear that this problem requires collaboration across government. Further details on the establishment of a cross government ministerial group will be released in due course.The joint HMRC/Border Force strategy to tackle illicit tobacco can be accessed on GOV.UK:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-illicit-tobacco-from-leaf-to-light

Tobacco: Smuggling

Mark Spencer: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 30 October 2012, Official Report, column 210W, on tobacco: smuggling, how many people were convicted in relation to seizures made by the Border Force and HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years.

Damian Hinds: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is not a prosecuting authority. Where cases handled by HMRC do proceed to the criminal courts the prosecution is carried out by the relevant independent prosecuting authority. This is the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in England and Wales, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in Scotland, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPSNI).

Tobacco: Smuggling

Mark Spencer: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much (a) the UK Border Force and (b) HM Revenue and Customs spent on delivering the Government's tobacco smuggling strategy in each of the last five years.

Damian Hinds: The total spent by HMRC on delivering the Government’s strategy to tackle tobacco smuggling in each of the last five years is as follows:2010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15£65.75m£68.92m£67.61m£76.00m£78.001mBorder Force cannot provide the information requested without incurring disproportionate costs.Border Force adopts an intelligence led approach to all of its customs activities, including tackling tobacco smuggling so that its multi-functional resources can be deployed as effectively as possible in line with latest threat assessments.

Public Sector: Technology

Chi Onwurah: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received on the use of technology to (a) improve public services and (b) make savings to the public purse.

Greg Hands: Since July the Treasury has received numerous individual representations on the Spending Review.. Many of these include proposals for improving public services and/or making savings to the public purse, with several specifically concerned with the use of technology.

Public Expenditure

Patrick Grady: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what definition of gross national income he uses to calculate spending towards the Government's targets of (a) 0.7 per cent spending on overseas development aid and (b) two per cent spending on defence.

Greg Hands: A) The UK Government plans its spending on official development assistance (ODA) using independent GNI estimates published by the ONS and forecasts published by OBR at that time. The official definition of GNI used to calculate spend on ODA is as follows: Gross national income (at market prices) represents total primary income receivable by resident institutional units: compensation of employees, taxes on production and imports less subsidies, property income (receivable less payable), gross operating surplus and gross mixed income. B) Spending on defence is measured against GDP based on figures published by the OECD.

Financial Services: Regulation

Adam Afriyie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to bring forward legislation to regulate (a) digital currencies, (b) crowdfunding and (c) peer-to-peer lending.

Harriett Baldwin: At the March Budget, the Government said it would consult on how to regulate digital currency exchanges in the new Parliament.Operating a P2P platform has been an activity regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) since 2014. Crowdfunding is also a Regulated Activity and is subject to FCA rules.

Financial Services: Islam

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department has made on the introduction of an Islamic bond.

Harriett Baldwin: In June last year the UK became the first country outside of the Islamic world to issue sovereign Sukuk, the Islamic equivalent of bonds, cementing Britain’s position as the western hub for Islamic finance.The £200 million of Sukuk will mature in 2019. They were sold to investors based in the UK and in the major hubs for Islamic finance around the world.The Sukuk received very strong demand, delivering good value for the taxpayer. Orders for the Sukuk totalled around £2.3 billion.

Financial Services: ICT

Adam Afriyie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to attract international FinTech companies to the UK.

Harriett Baldwin: The Government is committed to making the UK the leading global FinTech hub, and has announced a large number of policy initiatives, including more supportive regulatory regimes for peer-to-peer, digital currencies, and other innovative firms.The Government built on this record at the Summer Budget. First, Eileen Burbidge was appointed as the UK’s ‘Special Envoy for FinTech’, where she will represent UK interests in FinTech at home and around the world. Second, an international FinTech benchmarking exercise was announced to measure the UK’s performance and identify areas of best practice from around the world.

Bank Cards: Fees and Charges

Ian Paisley: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what data was used to assess the effect on merchants of exempting three party card schemes from interchange fee regulation as part of the EU Multilateral Interchange Fees regulation.

Harriett Baldwin: The European Interchange Fee Regulation is directly applicable to UK law. The exemption for three party schemes was part of the European Commission’s original proposal, which can be found here:www.eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52013PC0550&from=ENThe final Regulation was agreed by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council in March this year.

Oil Fired Power Stations: Enterprise Investment Scheme

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many diesel power stations receiving capacity market payments have been fully or part-funded through the Enterprise Investment Scheme.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of how many diesel power stations will take part in the next Capacity Market auction after being fully or part-funded through the Enterprise Investment Scheme.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which diesel power station operators have been approved for the Enterprise Investment Scheme.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Enterprise Investment Scheme will be available to fund the construction of diesel power stations taking part in Capacity Market auctions after 2015.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and ‎Customs (HMRC), which administers the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), does not keep a record of the number of diesel power generation companies receiving capacity market payments that have received investments under the EIS.HMRC does not disclose details of companies that have raised investments under the EIS.No estimate has been made of the number of diesel power stations taking part in the next Capacity Market Auction that may receive investments under the EIS. Whether a company qualifies for EIS depends on its individual circumstances.The Government keeps all tax schemes under review, to ensure that any reliefs continue to encourage investment in a well-targeted and effective manner.

Exchange Rates

George Kerevan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England on the exchange rate of sterling.

Harriett Baldwin: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has frequent discussions with the Governor of the Bank of England on a wide range of issues relating to the UK economy.

Remittances: Somalia

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure remittances flow through secure and accessible channels to Somalia.

Harriett Baldwin: The Treasury has worked closely with industry and regulators to ensure that remittances continue to flow from the UK to Somalia.The Treasury plays a leading role in the Action Group on Cross-Border Remittances, which brings together participants from industry, Government, regulators and international partners to maintain a continued dialogue on the withdrawal of banking services from the money service business sector, in order to develop a shared understanding of the expectations of all parties and help support remittance flows.Over the past two years, the Action Group has overseen a number of initiatives to boost compliance in the Money Service Business (MSB) sector, and to give greater confidence to banks offering services to this sector:The group has worked closely with the supervisors to develop revised guidance for the MSB sector, and for those offering banking services to the sector, including a statement from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in April 2015 clarifying the FCA’s expectations with regards to Banks’ management of money-laundering risk.The National Crime Agency has worked collaboratively with the banking and MSB sectors to improve understanding and manage risk.Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the supervisor of MSBs, more than doubled the number of compliance visits to MSBs in 2014, and launched an e-learning product to improve MSBs’ understanding of their obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations.Alongside this work in the UK, the Government is also supporting targeted capacity building in Somalia, delivered through the World Bank. This includes a specific focus on improving regulation of the Somali remittance sector and supporting the drafting and introduction of necessary financial crime legislation. This goes hand-in-hand with our longer term programme to support the formalisation of the financial sector in Somalia.These actions both in the UK and Somalia are intended to safeguard the vital remittances that flow between the two countries. The Action Group continues to monitor UK-Somalia remittance corridor closely and is reassured that there is currently no evidence to date of an interruption in the flow of remittances between the UK and Somalia, or any significant increase in remittance costs. This is a resilient and responsive market and the Government remains committed to supporting it and the diaspora communities that rely on these services.Updates on the work of the Action Group can be found on the gov.uk website:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/action-group-on-cross-border-remittances

Welfare Tax Credits

Rushanara Ali: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what impact assessment his Department has made of the effect on working families of (a) reduction in income thresholds and (b) increases in the tax credits taper rate.

Damian Hinds: The effect on working families of the reduction in income thresholds and increased in the tax credit taper rate should not be considered separately from wider policies in the Budget, such as our commitment to introducing the National Living Wage and increases to the personal tax allowance.Taking the welfare changes in the Budget together with the record increases in the income tax personal allowance and the introduction of the new National Living Wage, 8 out of 10 working households will be better off in 2017-18.

Money Laundering

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of shell companies being used to invest corrupt money in the UK in each of the last 10 years; and what steps he plans to take to tighten related money laundering regulations.

Harriett Baldwin: The opaque nature of such structures means that we are unable to produce an accurate estimate of how many are used to invest corrupt money in the UK. That is one reason why the Prime Minister put beneficial ownership transparency at the heart of the UK’s G8 Presidency in 2013. The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act received Royal Assent earlier this year and established a public register of company beneficial ownership information. This register will be operational from June 2016. The Act also abolished bearer shares and introduced a requirement for all company directors to be natural persons.In Europe, we worked hard during the negotiation of the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive to encourage European partners to match our level of ambition to ensure that criminal activity would not simply be displaced. The Directive was formally adopted in June 2015 and requires all Member States to implement central registers of company beneficial ownership will access for competent authorities, obliged entities and those with a legitimate interest. Member states have until June 2017 to transpose these requirements.The Government is continuing to take strong action to make the UK a hostile environment for corrupt money and to make it increasingly difficult for criminals to abuse corporate structures. We will shortly publish the UK’s first National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and have committed to publishing an Anti-Money Laundering Action Plan to address those issues which are highlighted by the National Risk Assessment.

Freezing of Assets: Syria

Valerie Vaz: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assets of (a) President Assad and (b) the Syrian government have been frozen in the UK; and what the value is of those assets.

Harriett Baldwin: In view of the situation in Syria, Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 of 18 January 2012 imposed an asset freeze against listed Syrian individuals and entities. The EU Regulation, which has direct effect in the UK, requires that all funds and economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by listed persons are frozen.Those listed under this regime include natural and legal persons, entities and bodies who have been identified as being responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria, persons and entities benefiting from or supporting the regime, and natural or legal persons associated with them. These persons and entities include, but are not limited to, President Assad and several members and agencies of the Syrian government.The approximate aggregate value of funds frozen in UK jurisdiction under EU Regulation 36/2012 is £151,080,000 (based on an annual audit in September 2014). These funds continue to belong to the individuals and entities listed under the Regulation and are not seized or otherwise held by HM Government.The Regulation states that HM Treasury can use this information only for the purpose for which it was provided. In order to comply with this requirement, and to comply with UK data protection law, the figure is provided on an aggregate basis so as not to disclose data relating to funds held by particular individuals or entities.HM Treasury publishes the names of those subject to EU financial sanctions on the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK, which can be found on the gov.uk website.

Opencast Mining: Tax Yields

Alan Brown: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has accrued to the public purse in tax receipts from the extraction of coal from open cast mines over the period 1995 to 2015.

Damian Hinds: There are no taxes levied specifically on open cast coal mining. This activity is subject to the UK's general taxation regimes such as VAT and Corporation Tax. However it is not possible to say how much revenue these taxes raise from open cast mines, as the number of companies involved is below the Government’s threshold for disclosing tax liabilities.

Public Finance

George Kerevan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of where the compensating permanent deficit or deficits will appear in the national income accounts as a result of his Department sustaining a permanent budget surplus.

Harriett Baldwin: In the UK National Accounts, the income and expenditure of different sectors (household, corporate, public sector, and the rest of the world) imply paths for each sector’s net lending or borrowing. By identity, these must sum to zero as for each borrower there must be a lender.If the public sector were to run a budget surplus, there would be an offsetting change in the net lending position of one of the household, corporate and the rest of the world sectors. More information is available in the latest OBR Economic and Fiscal Forecast (July 2015). A link to the information is provided below:http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/economic-fiscal-outlook-july-2015/

Royal Bank of Scotland

George Kerevan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of allegations of unusual volumes of short selling of RBS shares in the period immediately before the August 2015 share offering by UKFI.

Harriett Baldwin: The Chancellor and UK Financial Investments (UKFI) take the allegations of unusual volumes of short selling of RBS shares very seriously. UKFI have analysed the volume of shares on loan in the period immediately before the August 2015 share offering.They have concluded that the increase in the volume of shares on loan ahead of the sale was not material, and did not impact on the final price achieved.

Carbon Emissions: Coal

Alan Brown: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what carbon price support exemption schemes are in operation in the UK coal industry.

Damian Hinds: The only carbon price support (CPS) exemption scheme in operation in the UK coal industry is the exemption for coal slurry.

Living Wage: Welfare Tax Credits

Gavin Newlands: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of how many people will lose their working tax credits as a result of being paid the national living wage.

Damian Hinds: The information requested is not available.The government's target is for the National Living Wage to reach over £9 by 2020, which means that a full-time worker currently on the National Minimum Wage will be earning over £5,200 more per year.

Women and Equalities

Single People: Discrimination

Dr Tania Mathias: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to prevent discrimination against single people.

Caroline Dinenage: Certain provisions in the Equality Act 2010 – for example permitted exceptions from the age discrimination requirements for retail concessions to students and pensioners – are likely to be of particular benefit to single people.Single status is not a protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010. In the provision of goods and services we believe there is a balance to be struck between the interests of single people and the commercial considerations of business. The government, therefore, has no plans to change the Equality Act 2010.

Females: Employment

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will take steps to increase Government funding for specialist information and advice services for women at work.

Caroline Dinenage: The government funds the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to provide a wide range of information and support aimed at women at work, particularly pregnant women and new mothers, which is available on their website.The government also funds the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) and the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) to provide women at work with information and guidance.The findings of the largest ever study of pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination in Great Britain will be published by the EHRC later this year and will inform any further action that the government takes to ensure women can access the information and support they need.

Pregnant Women: Conditions of Employment

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what support the Government provides to pregnant women and new mothers to ensure that they are aware of their rights at work.

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will promote a campaign to increase employers' understanding of their legal obligations to employees who are either pregnant or new mothers.

Caroline Dinenage: The government funds the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) and the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) to help employers and individuals understand their rights and responsibilities at work.The government also funds the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which has a wide range of information and support specifically aimed at pregnant women, new mothers and their employers, available on their website.The government commissioned new research from the EHRC into the attitudes of employers on pregnancy and maternity leave, as well as the prevalence and causes of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.It is the largest ever study of pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination in Great Britain, interviewing 3000 employers and 3000 mothers. The final report will be published later this year and will inform any further action the government takes to ensure both employers and employees are fully aware of their legal obligations and rights.

Pregnant Women: Conditions of Employment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what research her Department has, or is otherwise aware of, which suggests that pregnant women are discouraged by their employers from attending ante-natal appointments; and what action the Government plans to take to reduce the incidence of pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination treatment referred to in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Research Paper No. 235, Pregnancy and Maternity-Related Discrimination and Disadvantage, First Findings: Surveys of Employers and Mothers, published in August 2015.

Caroline Dinenage: In November 2013, the government commissioned the largest study of its kind into pregnancy and maternity discrimination in Great Britain. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published the interim report of this study earlier this year. The EHRC interim report is available online at: www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/our-work/key-projects/managing-pregnancy-and-maternity-workplace/reportThe final research report will be published later this year. It will tell us what issues women face, who is most at risk and which types of employers and which sectors are most likely to receive complaints about discrimination. This will inform any further action that the government takes in order to ensure that employers and mothers are aware of, and act on, their legal obligations and rights.

Department for Transport

Renewable Energy: Transport

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Renewable Energy Directive target of 10 per cent renewable fuel in transport will be reached; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will increase the proportion of fuel from biofuel required under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of renewable fuel has been used in the transport sector in each year since 2010.

Andrew Jones: The Department produces quarterly and annual reports setting out the volume of biofuel reported under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). These reports are published at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/biofuels-statisticsThis data is reported by obligation years, which run 15 April to 14 April.The UK is also required under article 22 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) to report progress towards interim renewable energy targets, every two years. The latest of these reports covering the period 2010-2012 is published at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/renewable-energy/progress-reportsThat data is reported by calendar year. The data for years 2013 and 2014 is in the process of being calculated and checked before being published and reported to the Commission in December, as required under the article.The table summarises the reported data in respect of the proportion of renewable fuel used in the transport sector since 2010.YearVolume of renewable fuels, as a percentage of fuel obligated under RTFOPercentage of renewable energy used in transport reported under the REDCalendar Year 2010 2.9%April 2010 – April 20113.27% Calendar Year 2011 2.7%April 2011 – April 20123.6% Calendar Year 2012 3.7%April 2012 – April 20133% Calendar Year 2013 To be published in DecemberApril 2013 – April 20143.46% Calendar Year 2014 To be published in DecemberThe UK is committed to meeting its climate change targets and sustainable renewable transport fuel will have an important role to play in meeting these.We intend to consult further on changes to the RTFO scheme next year, and as part of that formal public consultation process we will set out a proposed trajectory for increasing the supply of renewable transport fuel to meet our renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Invalid Vehicles: Insurance

Kate Hollern: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made with the insurance industry on (a) identifying products that might be offered to drivers of mobility scooters and (b) how such products could be used to promote safety.

Andrew Jones: The Government is currently considering mobility scooters in the context of a European Court of Justice ruling about motor insurance known as “the Vnuk judgment”. The effect of this judgment is to broaden the circumstances in which third party insurance is required; and the range of vehicles subject to insurance requirements. We will need to amend our domestic legislation to comply with the judgment.In March 2015 we held a workshop to help us understand the particular issues that apply to mobility scooters and reach a decision on the position of these vehicles in the context of the Motor Insurance Directive.Officials are currently preparing an impact assessment which will consider, amongst other things, whether to impose compulsory insurance or derogate from insurance requirements, certain categories of vehicle. We will, of course, consult before making any changes to the legislation.

Taxis: Guide Dogs

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Access All Areas Report 2015, published by Guide Dogs, what steps he is taking to address taxi refusals for assistance dog owners.

Andrew Jones: The Equality Act 2010 includes a legal requirement for all taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to carry assistance dogs and not to charge more for doing so.In addition to their ability to take appropriate action in the event that licensed drivers fail to comply with this duty, local licensing authorities can inform taxi and private hire drivers of all their responsibilities as licensed drivers.

Taxis: Guide Dogs

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure that taxi drivers are aware of their legal obligation to take guide and other assistance dogs.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Transport has issued guidance to the licensed trade on the provisions in the Equality Act that require taxis and private hire vehicles to carry guide and other assistance dogs.In addition to their ability to take appropriate action in the event that licensed drivers fail to comply with this duty, local licensing authorities can inform taxi and private hire drivers of all their responsibilities as licensed drivers.

Railways: South West

Mr Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what infrastructure upgrades, other than the Reading rebuilding project, are being undertaken or planned to gain journey time benefit for the South West Peninsula from the new high-speed AT300 trains when they are introduced in December 2018.

Claire Perry: As part of the long-term economic plan to increase growth and create jobs in the South West, this Government has a commitment to £7.2 billion investment in transport infrastructure in the South West over this Parliament.As the Secretary of State for Transport set out in his oral statement to the House on 25 June, he has asked the new Chair of Network Rail, Sir Peter Hendy, to re-plan the enhancements programme. A full assessment of the delivery of the enhancements programme will be a specific task of the re-plan, which is due to report back in the autumn.

Blue Badge Scheme

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to amend the Blue Badge scheme to allow badges to be awarded to those with severe cognitive disabilities.

Andrew Jones: The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000 allow badges to be awarded to people with any permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking, which may include those with cognitive disabilities. The Government has no plans to amend the eligibility rules for Blue Badges.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on the conflict in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK Government regularly receives reports on the situation in Yemen through a variety of sources including diplomatic engagement with key parties to the conflict, other governments, international non-governmental organisations and UN agencies. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) met President Hadi on 28 September during the United Nations General Assembly and discussed the ongoing conflict. The Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Yemen, Sir Alan Duncan, visited Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE in September. During his visit, he met representatives of the Government of Yemen as well as officials from countries participating in the military coalition. The situation in Yemen remains critical and risks becoming a prolonged conflict with catastrophic humanitarian consequences. We remain fully committed to a finding a political solution to the crisis and continue to urge the parties to the conflict to return to negotiations, and to facilitate access for humanitarian aid and commercial goods. To tackle the humanitarian crisis, the UK has so far announced £75 million – through UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs - to support Yemenis affected by the crisis, including those forced to flee their homes, with emergency shelter, healthcare, water and food assistance, as well as supporting UN work to co-ordinate the humanitarian response.

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received from his Saudi counterparts on the conflict in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK Government is in regular contact with the Saudi authorities about the situation in Yemen through our Embassy in Riyadh and our Yemen Office based in Jeddah. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Al Jubeir on 29 September in the margins of the UN General Assembly, and underlined the importance the UK attaches to finding a political solution to the current crisis as soon as possible. He also reinforced the necessity of full compliance with international humanitarian law and of facilitating access for humanitarian and commercial shipping.To tackle the humanitarian crisis, the UK has so far announced £75 million – through UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs - to support Yemenis affected by the crisis, including those forced to flee their homes, with emergency shelter, healthcare, water and food assistance, as well as supporting UN work to co-ordinate the humanitarian response.

UK Membership of EU: Referendums

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will make representations to the EU on ensuring that local authorities are not unduly influenced to publish material supporting a vote to remain a member of the EU.

Mr David Lidington: Under the terms of the draft Referendum Bill, local authorities will be subject to the same statutory restrictions on what they can publish in the final 28 days of the campaign as other public bodies. Both ministers and officials have discussed the UK referendum with the European Commission. The European Commission has informed us that they view the referendum as a matter for the British people, and do not intend to take part in the campaign.

Middle East

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many meetings he has had with (a) Israeli and (b) Palestinian officials in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: In the last year, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has held three meetings with Israel officials and two meetings with Palestinian officials. He also visited Israel and the OPTs in July 2015. I have also held numerous meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials, and visited the region last October.

Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans for the next Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council to take place.

Grant Shapps: The next Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council will take place in London in the week beginning 30 November 2015.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is giving to strengthen democracy and parliamentary oversight in Sri Lanka.

Mr Hugo Swire: Through our bilateral support to Sri Lanka, we are seeking to strengthen democracy, improve good governance and the rule of law. We funded a programme of voter education and support to domestic election observers during the January and August elections at a cost of £120,000. Staff from the British High Commission in Colombo were involved in the EU Election Observer Mission both in the run up to and on the day of the 17 August parliamentary elections.We are working closely with others, including the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, on building the capacity of the new Parliament and on strengthening political parties. We welcome the involvement of UK Parliamentarians, including the recent visit of my hon. Friend, in supporting this work.Our spending on democracy related projects this year will be around £200,000. We are also supporting a project to provide training to local media in investigative journalism techniques, which should help strengthen freedom of expression in Sri Lanka.

Somalia: Politics and Government

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the security situation in Somalia of al Shabaab's seizure of Buqda.

Grant Shapps: We assess that the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM’s) withdrawal from Buqda, and its consequent re-occupation by Al Shabaab, will have little impact on the security situation in Somalia, given Buqda’s limited strategic importance within the context of the overall AMISOM campaign.AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) have regained 75% of the territory formerly controlled by Al-Shabaab, forcing it out of many of its traditional strongholds, including major urban centres and its former headquarters in Baraawe. The current AMISOM offensive is designed to remove Al Shabaab from their strong holds in the Gedo, Bakool and Bay regions of Somalia. But Al Shabaab still holds ground in the lower Juba Valley and retains the ability to infiltrate other areas and cause instability.We continue to support African Union and SNSF efforts to defeat Al Shabaab, including through the provision of stipends, training, equipment and infrastructure enhancements, and capacity-building. We are also supporting stabilisation and countering violent extremism efforts, including working with the Federal Government of Somalia to develop counter-terrorism legislation.

Somalia: Al Shabaab

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports his Department has received of al Shabaab's activities in the lower Shabelle region of Somalia.

Grant Shapps: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office receives a wide range of reporting on Somalia from our Embassy in Mogadishu and other actors on the ground, including the United Nations and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the media and other open sources. Reporting shows that Al Shabaab continues vigorously to contest the lower Shabelle region. Recent Al Shabaab activities have included the re-occupation of Janaale and Kurtenwarey (alongside the continuing occupation of Jilib) following tactical AMISOM withdrawals from these smaller, more isolated positions in order to consolidate forces and focus offensive efforts elsewhere. These attacks and Al Shabaab’s ability to conduct asymmetric attacks elsewhere in the country – targeting the Federal Government of Somalia, Somali security forces, AMISOM and members of the international community – highlight the significant threat that it continues to pose to Somalia’s security.

Department for International Development

Yemen: Refugees

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what material support and assistance her Department is providing to refugees fleeing conflict in Yemen; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Desmond Swayne: According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), most refugees from the conflict in Yemen have fled to Djibouti and Somalia.In order to improve the living conditions of migrants and refugees from Yemen in Djibouti, the UK is supporting the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with in kind assistance consisting of shelter kits, water containers, family kitchen sets, blankets, hygiene kits and solar lanterns.For refugees from Yemen in Somalia, the UK is also providing water, sanitation and hygiene supplies; child friendly spaces and support to reunify separated families in reception centres; and assistance for onward travel. As part of our contributions to the United Nations Common Humanitarian Fund and the support of the Danish Refugee Council, the UK is also providing a package of food, health and shelter assistance to refugees.The latest UN estimates show more than 21 million people are now in need of assistance. Millions of Yemenis are going without food, fuel, water and medicine.We are the 4th largest donor, providing a commitment of £75m to date to the humanitarian crisis to help at least half a million Yemenis caught in this conflict. This is providing vital medical supplies, water, food and emergency shelter.

Horn of Africa: Famine

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what material support and assistance her Department is providing to support countries in the Horn of Africa suffering from famine; and if she will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: Ongoing humanitarian and development support is vital in order to avert famine in the most vulnerable areas. DFID spent £293 million on humanitarian assistance in the region over the last financial year, providing support to vulnerable people affected by food insecurity and conflict crises. We also use our development funding to support programmes that build resilience to climate change and strengthen early warning systems: for instance DFID has supported the strengthening of Ethiopia’s hydro-meteorological network enabling more accurate measurement and prediction of extreme weather and flooding.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department is giving to strengthen democracy and parliamentary oversight in Sri Lanka.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID does not have a bilateral aid programme with Sri Lanka. We do support work in Sri Lanka through a Programme Partnership Arrangement with The Asia Foundation. This strengthens and expands locally-accepted informal justice systems that deal with around 9000 cases per year in the North and East of the country.

Remittances

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that remittances are delivered to their intended recipients.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Remittances are a vital lifeline for many poor people in developing countries. DFID works through the World Bank Group and a network of Financial Sector Deepening entities across Africa to support the delivery of remittances to poor people and strengthen regulations that govern the operation of secure and legitimate payment channels.As a member of the Action Group on Cross Border Remittances, we work with regulators and the industry bodies for banking and Money Service Businesses (MSBs) to: increase supervision of MSBs, improve industry guidance and training, clarify regulatory requirements, monitor market risk and support a safer corridor for UK-Somalia remittances.

Developing Countries: Females

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve the lives of women and girls around the world and (b) eradicate gender inequality.

Justine Greening: Tackling gender equality is a top priority for my Department. Our Strategic Vision for Girls and Women puts voice, choice and control for girls and women at the centre of our international development efforts.We fought hard in international negotiations on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for a strong stand-alone goal on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, as well as gender-sensitive targets throughout the SDG framework. An SDG framework incorporating strong gender goals and targets was adopted by the UN General Assembly last month and will be critical to achieving transformational change to the lives of girls and women across the globe. We will now work to support international action on implementing and monitoring the SDGs.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that health facilities in countries affected by ebola are strengthened to ensure that they can prevent or contain a future outbreak.

Grant Shapps: The UK has committed £240m over two years in support of the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ebola Recovery Strategy, including major investment in health. Our interventions will aim to increase the capacity of district and national structures to identify and respond swiftly to future outbreaks of Ebola or other communicable diseases. We will build on the surveillance, command and control systems established during the response.In Liberia, DFID has committed £6 million to the Health Sector Pool Fund over two years, to support access to safe, quality health services. The UK indirectly supports Guinea’s recovery through its contributions to WHO and other multilateral organisations. Globally, DFID and the Department of Health are seeking greater commitment from countries to implement the International Health Regulations, the internationally-agreed framework for national systems to prevent and respond to public health crises.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to help developing countries to meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and wellbeing and to promote universal health coverage.

Justine Greening: DFID will continue to invest in health and support countries to meet SDG goal 3 and its universal health coverage target, guided by the Government’s International Development manifesto commitments. These include to: save 1.4m children’s lives by 2020, by immunising 76m children against killer diseases; lead a major new global programme to accelerate the development of vaccines and drugs to eliminate the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, while investing to save lives from malaria and working to end preventable child and maternal deaths; and work to achieve equitable access to family planning. Our commitments to improve nutrition for at least 50m people, to help at least 60m people get access to clean water and sanitation, to end FGM and to support education, will also contribute.

New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what reports and representations she has received on the effects of the work of New Alliance on local farmers in areas where it operates; and what steps she plans to take to ensure that local farmers are not subject to displacement and do not fall into debt as a result of that programme's activities.

Grant Shapps: The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition group publish a comprehensive report on an annual basis that can be found on the New Alliance website. Every DFID programme which contributes is subject to DFID’s annual review processes the reports of which are posted on the DFID Development Tracker website (http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/).DFID and G7 donor partners, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the African Union Policy Initiative have responded to a commission by the New Alliance Leadership Council and drafted a due diligence framework for private sector land investments. This provides guidance on best practice and applicable legislation, including displacement. The framework was adopted in June and is now being piloted with support from our partner Grow Africa. It is available on the New Alliance website.

Females: Crimes of Violence

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if her Department will take steps to ensure that a target to end violence towards women forms part of the proposed UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Justine Greening: The UK has worked hard to lead efforts across the globe to ensure that a target to end violence against women and girls formed part of the agreed UN Sustainable Development Goals. We are pleased that a strong gender goal was included as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted at the United Nations General Assembly, which includes targets on violence against women and girls, harmful practices, female genital mutilation and child early and forced marriage. Seeing these Sustainable Development Goals and targets implemented is a continuing top priority for the UK.

Department for Education

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to monitor the use by Magic Breakfast of monies received from the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived; and what assessment her Department has made of how, where and when the assistance for school pupils resulting from this funding has been distributed.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Department for Education’s current contract with Magic Breakfast does not include monies from the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD).Magic Breakfast are contracted to set up and run sustainable breakfast clubs in 184 schools where the free school meal take up is 35% or higher. This contract runs until March 2016. The prospective FEAD funding is separate, and we are currently exploring options for the use of the funding to support the establishment of additional breakfast clubs in deprived areas.

Schools: Admissions

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will introduce changes to national schools admissions to ensure that multiple birth children are able to attend the same school.

Nick Gibb: In order to avoid children of multiple births attending separate schools, the statutory School Admissions Code enables them to be admitted as exceptions to the infant class size limit of 30 pupils per teacher.Some school admission authorities will exceed their published admission number to avoid separating multiple birth siblings.We are currently reviewing the Admissions Code, with a view to ensuring siblings can attend the same school. We will consider this issue as part of that review.

Foster Care

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what statutory duties local authorities have towards young people who have been abused while in foster care.

Edward Timpson: Local authorities have a duty under The Children Act 1989 regarding the protection of all children, including those for whom they have direct responsibility as looked after children.All referrals and allegations, whatever their origin, must be taken seriously and investigated. Local authorities have a statutory duty, under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989, to make enquiries where they have reasonable cause for concern that a child might need protection. As with all looked-after children, local authorities must assess their needs and decide how best to meet them on an ongoing basis through the statutory care planning process, set out in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review guidance, which is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/441643/Children_Act_Guidance_2015.pdfThere are stringent checks for anyone who wishes to become a foster carer, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Anyone who wants to become a foster carer must undergo a full, rigorous assessment process and be approved by a registered fostering service.All children’s homes and fostering services are regulated and inspected by Ofsted to national minimum standards, including safeguarding and child protection standards. Each child will be supported by a social worker who will visit them regularly to check they are being properly being looked after.

GCSE

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of (a) all pupils, (b) white British boys receiving free school meals and (c) children in care achieved no A* to C grades at GCSE, excluding equivalents, in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The information is not held in the required format.

GCSE

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children designated as in need achieved (a) five A* to C grades at GCSE including English and mathematics and (b) no A* to C grades at GCSE, excluding equivalents, in each local authority area in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: Information on how many and what proportion of children designated as in need achieved five A* to C grades at GCSE including English and mathematics, excluding equivalents, for the most recent year for which figures are available is published in table L5 in the additional tables, online at:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2013-to-2014Information on how many and what proportion of children designated as in need achieved no A* to C grades at GCSE, excluding equivalents, is not held in the requested format.

GCSE

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of white British pupils eligible for free school meals achieved five A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and mathematics, (a) in each local authority area and (b) at each school in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The information is not held in the format requested.The Department for Education publishes information at regional and local authority level on the proportion of white boys eligible for free school meals. This information, along with information on the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, can be found in tables 3 and 5 of the “GCSE and equivalent attainment by pupil characteristics: 2014”, available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/gcse-and-equivalent-attainment-by-pupil-characteristics-2014

Children in Care: Missing Persons

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children in care were recorded as having gone missing (a) once, (b) twice, (c) three times, (d) four times, (e) five times, (f) six times, (g) seven times, (h) eight times, (i) nine times, (j) 10 times and (k) more than 10 times in the last five years.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education does not hold the requested information in the correct format. However, the department has published data on the percentage of children going missing from foster homes and regulated children’s homes in the year ending 31 March 2013, once, twice, three times, and four or more times. This is available on slide 17 of the Children’s homes data pack published at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/388701/Childrens_Homes_data_pack_Dec_2014.pdfAdditionally, information on the numbers of children who were missing from care for the latest 5 years are available in table B1 of the Statistical First Release ‘Children looked after in England, year ending 31 March 2014’, however, this does not provide information on the number of times each child went missing. This can be found online at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/outcomes-for-children-looked-after-by-local-authorities

Schools: Rural Areas

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans the Government has to review the school funding formula to ensure fair funding for schools in rural areas.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We are committed to making schools funding fairer and will come forward with our proposals for this in due course. These will include proposals about how to ensure that schools in rural areas are funded fairly.

Pre-school Education

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of (a) two years old and (b) three to four years old have been signed up to free early education in (i) the UK, (ii) London and (iii) Bethnal Green and Bow constituency in each of the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Funded early education for two-year-olds was first introduced in September 2013 and first reported in 2014 in the statistical publication “Provision for children under-five years of age in England”. This is available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-childcare-and-early-years. Figures are provided at national, regional and local authority level. Information at constituency level is not available.

Pre-school Education

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support the Government provides to local authorities to increase the uptake of free early education.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Take-up of the entitlement to free early education for three- and four-year-olds is already very high – reaching 96% across England in January 2015.The entitlement for disadvantaged two-year-olds was introduced September 2013. This was by extensive marketing activity, including radio, posters and through social media. The government supports local authorities in securing high take-up for this entitlement by providing them with information on parents believed to be eligible for the entitlement. This enables direct communication, marketing and support to be provided to parents so that they can access the entitlement for their child.

Education

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2015 to the hon. Member for East Ham to Question 9951, if she will make it her policy to include attainment at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 in the education indicator in her Department's proposed Life Chances report.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Education is important which is why we are legislating to introduce new life chances measures of worklessness and educational attainment at the end of Key Stage 4, which is the culmination of formal education, for children in England. The department will continue to publish other educational data in relation to attainment at Key Stages 1 and 2.

GCSE

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils who attended schools assessed as outstanding at their most recent inspection (a) achieved and (b) did not achieve five A* to C grades including English and mathematics, broken down by eligibility for (i) free school meals, (ii) ethnicity, (iii) children in need and (iv) children in care in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The requested information is not held in the correct format.

GCSE

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils who were (a) eligible and (b) not eligible for free school meals in each ranked category of school at its most recent inspection (i) achieved and (ii) did not achieve five A* to C grades including English and mathematics in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The requested information is not held in the correct format.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of DAB radio reception in Scotland; and what steps his Department has taken to improve poor reception in areas receiving low-quality coverage.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government is working with the radio industry to improve digital radio coverage for listeners across the UK. DCMS, the BBC and commercial radio are jointly funding the long term expansion of the local DAB network with the building of 182 new digital transmitters across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland and technical/frequency changes at a further 49 existing local DAB sites by the end of September 2016. As a result of this new investment, according to the independent communications regulator Ofcom, it is expected that local DAB coverage in Scotland will increase from 65% to 86% of households.Ofcom has published detailed maps outlining the improvements to local DAB coverage for the local digital radio multiplex areas in Scotland and these are available at:http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/coverage/dab-coverage-plans/Separately the BBC is rolling out its national DAB network to a further 163 transmitter sites across the UK, scheduled for completion by the end of 2015. This programme will increase the coverage of its DAB network in Scotland from 91% to 95% of homes.

Broadband: Business

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2015 to Question 9926, what steps he is taking specifically to support fibre to the premises.

Mr Edward Vaizey: We are proposing action in a number of areas to encourage the market to invest in better fixed communications infrastructure.We intend to reform the Electronic Communications Code - the statutory framework governing rights of access to private premises. We will be implementing the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive to help reduce the cost of rolling out high speed broadband. We will review the effectiveness of the fixed planning changes introduced in England in 2013 to determine whether they should be made permanent. We will also encourage and support innovative approaches in street works which can lower the cost and speed up deployment of faster broadband.We will continue to look for new ways to support fixed infrastructure deployment in consultation with industry.

Mobile Phones

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on vulnerable consumers of the switching regime in the mobile sector.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government is committed to working with Ofcom to support quick and easy switching in communications markets. In its current consultation on mobile switching, Ofcom sets out considerations of how current switching processes may lead to consumer harm. Problems that may occur include consumer difficulty with switching processes, unnecessary costs, navigating different processes, breaks in continuity of service, lack of awareness of the implications of and any liabilities arising from switching, and erroneous transfers and ‘slamming’ (where consumers are switched without their consent). Ofcom’s evidence suggests that, although existing mobile switching processes perform relatively well against those measures, they are likely to generate a degree of consumer harm.For those who have not switched, the perception of a difficult process can inhibit their engagement with the market and any decision to switch, which is likely to mean they are paying more. BIS research indicates that consumers who may be vulnerable by virtue of personal circumstances - for example, those who are elderly, not working and/or lack ‘self-efficacy’, confidence or trust - tend to be fairly disengaged from markets and the purchase process. Those consumers are much less likely than other groups to gather information, check whether they are on the best deal or switch supplier.Ofcom is currently consulting on options to improve mobile switching, with the aim of simplifying and automating the process for all consumers.

Mobile Phones

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations his Department has received from Ofcom on that body's powers to mandate a gaining provider-led switching regime in the mobile sector.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government is committed to working with Ofcom to support quick and easy switching in communications markets and we will do all we can to move towards a system of gaining provider-led (GPL) switching across the board. Ofcom is currently consulting on process reforms for switching mobile services, including proposals for a GPL model. Under its existing powers, it has already introduced GPL processes for customers switching broadband and fixed-line services. It is apparent from my officials’ ongoing discussions with Ofcom - and from its recent work and current proposals to improve switching processes - that Ofcom has powers to introduce a GPL switching regime for mobile services, should it determine following its consultation that such a reform would be proportionate.

BBC

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to ensure that the amount of original radio and television content on the BBC does not decrease following the review of the BBC Charter.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Charter Review consultation document, published on 16 July, invited views on the BBC's approach to content production and the quota systems in place. This issue will be considered as part of the Charter Review process.

Broadband

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to ensure that effective regulation is in place to hold fibreoptic cable network companies to account for not providing mobile telephone operators with a resilient base station network and for not remedying network failure swiftly; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Edward Vaizey: In this case, under ‘security requirements’: sections 105A to D of the Communications Act 2003, the legislation that applies to telecoms providers requires them to take measures to protect the security and resilience of their networks and services. Ofcom has the power to intervene if it believes a provider is not taking the appropriate measures. This legislation applies to fibre optic network operators providing back haul to mobile operators.Generally, commercial agreements between providers will specify service levels to be adhered to, including times for remedying network disruptions. However, in its Business Connectivity Market Review (consultation 15 May 2015 - 31 July 2015), Ofcom stated that it considers BT’s quality of service in providing wholesale Ethernet leased line connections (including mobile backhaul) to be unacceptable, despite improvements that it acknowledges the company has made. Therefore the Regulator has proposed to impose obligations on BT to improve its provision of wholesale leased line services, with minimum standards of certainty of delivery date; provision lead-times; and repair times.

Broadband

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of broadband providers in order to ensure that customers receive the service that they pay for and are properly compensated if they do not; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of mobile telephone operators in order to ensure that customers receive the service that they pay for and are properly compensated if they do not; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Edward Vaizey: There are a number of coverage and quality measures that apply to communications providers; for example, spectrum licence conditions on mobile coverage and targets for Openreach on repair and installation times for fixed line and broadband services. Ofcom is working with the main broadband providers and mobile operators to ensure that appropriate redress is available to consumers when necessary, including when coverage and quality is unsatisfactory. Consumers can also seek redress on an individual basis, under the term implied into service contracts by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, that the service will be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Effective from 1 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes clear the rights of redress for consumers who do not receive a service that conforms to their contract; depending on circumstances, suitable remedies can include a price reduction, compensation or a right of exit.

Museums and Galleries: Fees and Charges

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that national galleries and museums remain free at the point of use.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Free access to all national museums and galleries was a commitment made in the 2015 Conservative Party Manifesto and remains government policy.Management agreements between DCMS and all national museums and galleries highlight as a priority that “free entry to the permanent collections of the national museums will continue to be available and public access will be protected.”

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Tigers: Imports

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the risk assessment used by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in deciding not to issue a rabies waiver to the Isle of Wight Zoo in respect of the importation of a rescue tiger from Belgium.

George Eustice: A risk assessment was carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency but is not currently in a form that would enable it to be published. There are no plans to publish the basis for the decision not to issue a rabies waiver. We will, however, provide the Isle of Wight Zoo with a summary of the basis for that decision on request.

Dogs: Eastern Europe

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of rabies in puppies imported from Eastern Europe using false documents; and what steps she is taking to tackle the risks posed by such illegal importation.

George Eustice: There has been no EU Member State to EU Member State transmission of rabies by any pet moved either legally or illegally since the EU pet travel scheme began in 2004. Over the last 20 years the level of rabies across the EU has decreased dramatically through targeted vaccination campaigns. This has resulted in many EU countries becoming free, or nearly free, of the disease.We take the illegal importation of animals, including dogs and puppies, very seriously. We are aware that some unscrupulous individuals are importing pet animals, particularly puppies, under the cover of the EU pet travel scheme but with the intention of selling them on arrival in the UK. Our actions to tackle this illegal trade are focused on three areas which taken together are helping to address the supply of, and demand for, these puppies.Firstly, responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born, where the authorities have a duty to ensure that the welfare of pets intended for sale is safeguarded and that EU pet passports are issued correctly. Where there is evidence that veterinarians in other Member States are prepared to falsify pet travel documentation, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer will raise this with officials in the country concerned as well as the European Commission. Intelligence collected in the UK by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, local authorities and animal welfare organisations has resulted in investigations in other EU countries and action has been taken where individuals have been found to be at fault.Secondly, we will maintain effective border controls. The UK carries out more checks on pets at the border than most other EU Member States and stringent penalties are in place for breaking the rules.Thirdly, the illegal trade is driven by demand for cheap pedigree puppies. We have published guidance on the steps pet owners can take to avoid buying an illegally imported pet: https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-cat-or-dog. We are also working with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group, which has developed minimum standards for online pet advertisers that have led to the removal of over 130,000 problematic adverts in the last year.

Animals: Imports

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many waivers were issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency for animals being transferred to non-Balai approved premises in each of the last three years; and why a waiver was issued in each case.

George Eustice: There have been only two cases in which a quarantine waiver has been issued for an animal moving into a non Balai approved premise in the past three years. In one case the risk assessment found that the animal had been vaccinated against rabies and deemed a negligible rabies risk. In the other case, the species being imported posed a negligible risk of transmission and so was also granted a waiver.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mims Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many confirmed cases of bovine tuberculosis there were in each of the last five years.

George Eustice: Statistics on the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle within Great Britain are published monthly on GOV.UKhttps://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/incidence-of-tuberculosis-tb-in-cattle-in-great-britain.

Ivory

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to prevent illegal trade in ivory products.

Rory Stewart: The UK has played a leading role in galvanising international action to combat the illegal wildlife trade, including the illegal trade in ivory. We hosted the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade in February 2014 and actively supported the Government of Botswana in its hosting of a follow-up Conference in Kasane in March 2015. The UK has also supported the Elephant Protection Initiative, of which nine African elephant range states are now members and which is designed to help them to secure and maintain healthy elephant populations.The UK is committed to maintaining the current global ban on any new international trade in ivory, established under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In addition, the UK does not permit trade in raw ivory tusks of any age and we are pressing for this approach to be taken across the whole of the European Union.We have committed £13 million to support projects around the world to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. These projects seek to reduce demand, strengthen law enforcement and develop sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by illegal wildlife trade, principally through Defra’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. A second round of the Challenge Fund was launched on 5 August.

Hunting Act 2004

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to bring forward further amendments to the Hunting Act 2004.

Rory Stewart: The Government stands by its manifesto commitment to give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a Government Bill in Government time.

Hunting

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason the Government withdrew the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Exempt Hunting) (Amendment) Order 2015.

Rory Stewart: While the debate on the Statutory Instrument did not take place, the Government has not withdrawn the Draft Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Order 2015.

Hunting

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department had with the Scottish Government on the Protection of Wild Mammals Act (Scotland) 2002 prior to tabling the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Exempt Hunting) (Amendment) Order 2015.

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consultations her Department held with animal welfare organisations before laying the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Exempt Hunting) (Amendment) Order 2015.

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations her Department has received on amendments to the Hunting Act 2004.

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the (a) police, (b) Crown Prosecution Service and (c) Law Commission on the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Exempt Hunting) (Amendment) Order 2015.

Rory Stewart: The Government has received representations from a wide range of interested parties both for and against any repeal or amendment to the Hunting Act 2004.The measures proposed in the draft Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Order 2015 would not remove the ban on hunting. Given this we judged that more consultation would not have been likely to add to the information available to us.

Marine Conservation Zones

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to announce her decision on the designation of the 23 marine conservation zones proposed in tranche 2.

George Eustice: Decisions on the marine conservation zones being designated in the second tranche will be announced by the end of January 2016.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Solar Power

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the likely annual saving on average household energy bills from the proposed early closure of the solar renewables obligation.

Andrea Leadsom: As stated in the impact assessment accompanying the consultation paper, the likely annual saving on average household electricity bills from the proposed early closure of the renewables obligation to solar PV at 5MW and below is £0.80 in 2020/21 on the medium deployment scenario, with a range from £0.50 to £1.20. These bill impact figures are in 2014 prices.

Solar Power: Countryside

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her policy is on siting solar farms in open countryside.

Andrea Leadsom: We have been clear in previous statements to Parliament that our strong preference is for deployment of solar PV to take place on buildings and on previously used land, over high grade agricultural land.For example, on 22nd June 2015 (Official Report, Column 624), my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State said:“We are trying to support solar so that we have as much as possible through community energy, on people’s houses and on other buildings. There is a great opportunity there”. [1]The National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Practice Guidance for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy ensures that decisions on siting of ground mounted takes into account the views and needs of the local community.[1] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm150622/debtext/150622-0001.htm

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of proposed changes to the feed-in tariff on community renewable energy projects.

Andrea Leadsom: We recognise that many community-led renewable projects rely on the feed-in tariff as a reliable source of income on which to build a business case for funding. However, we have actively engaged with community groups as part of our recent consultation on pre-accreditation and will do so further through targeted stakeholder events as part of the broader FITs review. In the FIT review consultation, we specifically seek views on whether the scheme might be focussed towards specific groups or sectors; we have also acknowledged that it may be possible to reintroduce pre-accreditation if the evidence submitted at consultation supports it.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of proposed changes to the feed-in tariff on business growth in the renewable energy sector over the next five years.

Andrea Leadsom: An impact assessment was published alongside the feed-in tariff (FIT) review consultation document in August. We are seeking to supplement that assessment with evidence gathered through the consultation. The actual impact on the sector will, of course, depend on the options taken forward after all responses to the consultation have been considered.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of potential changes in the level of employment in the UK's renewable energy sector as a result of the proposed changes to the feed-in tariff.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills report, “The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy”, estimated that in 2013 there were over 34,000 jobs in the UK solar sector.Our consultation on the feed-in tariff review reflects the need to balance sector support whilst keeping bills down for consumers.We strongly welcome evidence from the sector during this review consultation, which ends on 23 October, and only then can we begin to analyse the impact on jobs.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department plans to take to support the UK's renewable energy sector after implementation of the proposed changes in the Feed-in Tariff.

Andrea Leadsom: As yet, there has not been any decision taken about the future of the feed-in tariff scheme. We are currently holding a consultation on the future of the FIT scheme which will close on 23 October. The consultation can be found at the following link: https://econsultation.decc.gov.uk/office-for-renewable-energy-deployment-ored/fit-review-2015.A Government Response will follow the closure of the consultation.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the effect will be on the average household energy bill of the proposed changes to the feed-in tariff.

Andrea Leadsom: As set out in the impact assessment accompanying the feed-in tariff review consultation, if implemented, we estimate that these cost control measures could save £440 - £480m from the Levy Control Framework in 2020/21 (2011/12 prices). This equates to £5-6 per average household bill (2016 prices).

Power Failures: Weather

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to ensure that there are no electricity blackouts during winter 2015-16.

Andrea Leadsom: Ensuring that hardworking families and businesses across the country have secure, affordable energy supplies they can rely on is our top priority.We have worked with National Grid to put in place an effective plan which worked well last winter. National Grid has everything they need to manage the system this winter.National Grid have secured 2.55GW of flexible generation in reserve for use this winter. With this in place, National Grid forecast a margin of 5.1% for this winter, which will ensure a high level of energy security even in the toughest system conditions.

Energy: Meters

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of an increase in the number of SMETS1 meters installed on consumers' ability to switch energy suppliers.

Andrea Leadsom: The roll-out of SMETS 1 meters is enabling consumers to take control of their energy use save money and be accurately billed, as suppliers trial, test and optimise their approaches to smart meter roll-out prior to the main phase of the programme commencing next year.SMETS1 meters will not affect consumers’ ability to switch energy suppliers, although consumers with such meters may temporarily lose smart functionality if they choose to switch to a supplier not yet offering smart services. Ofgem has introduced rules designed to help domestic consumers understand if the smart services they are receiving will be maintained when they switch supplier:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/41868/smart-meters-effective-switching.pdf.The rules include a requirement that a supplier installing a SMETS1 or smart-type meter must inform the customer that they may lose meter functionality on change of supplier.

Energy: Meters

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effect on the total cost of the smart meter programme of delays in the introduction of the Data Communications Company.

Andrea Leadsom: Following a proposal from the Data and Communications Company (DCC) to adopt an alternative delivery plan, the previous administration announced in March 2015 that the DCC will plan to deliver operational services from April 2016.A Written Ministerial Statement made by the previous administration on this matter can be found here:http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm150305/wmstext/150305m0001.htm#15030533000006The DCC has taken account of changes in its costs in the development of its revised plan, in line with its general requirement to deliver its services in an economic and efficient manner. These costs are expected to represent an increase of less than 1% of the total costs of the programme. The programme remains on track to deliver significant net benefits to consumers.

Energy: Meters

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, under what circumstances her Department would amend the requirement for energy suppliers to endeavour to install smart meters in 100 per cent of customers' homes by 2020.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government’s policy is for the benefits of smart metering to be available to all consumers so they can take control of their energy consumption, make better-informed decisions on their energy supplier, and switch more easily. There is a sound business case for a universal roll-out.As energy suppliers have known for a number of years, they are required under licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to install smart meters in all of their domestic customers’ premises, and smart or advanced meters in smaller non-domestic sites, by 31 December 2020. There are no plans to amend this obligation.

Department for Energy and Climate Change: Staff

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many people are employed by her Department; and what the staffing costs of her Department are.

Andrea Leadsom: As of 31 August 2015, DECC employed 1,650 staff (headcount) of which 1,511 were permanent Civil Servants, Fixed Term Appointments, Short Term Appointments and Loans in from other Government Departments. The remaining 139 individuals include secondments, agency temps, contractors and consultants. The cost to the Department in 2014-15 was £103m.

Sellafield: Radioactive Materials

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the quantity of nuclear material in Scotland that will be transported to Sellafield during this Parliament.

Andrea Leadsom: The information requested is contained within the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) “Exotic Fuels and Nuclear Materials Dounreay Preferred Options (Gate B)” paper, which was published in February 2013. This can be found at:http://www.nda.gov.uk/publication/exotic-fuels-and-nuclear-materials-dounreay-prefered-options-february-2013/.Material from the Dounreay Fast Breeder Reactor is being transferred to Sellafield for management alongside spent Magnox fuel, and those transfers are around 25% complete. The reference strategy for this is reprocessing. Further details can be found in the NDA’s “Exotic Fuels: Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR) Breeder Credible and Preferred Options” paper, which was published in July 2011. This can be found at:http://www.nda.gov.uk/publication/exotic-fuels-dounreay-fast-reactor-dfr-breeder-credible-and-preferred-options-july-2011/ .

Sellafield: Radioactive Materials

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans there are to relocate further nuclear material from Dounreay to Sellafield.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government plans to manage the remaining nuclear material from Dounreay was set out in the NDA Credible Options paper published in February 2013. There has been no change to this policy:http://www.nda.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Exotic-Fuels-and-Nuclear-Materials-Dounreay-Prefered-Options-February-2013.pdf.

Sellafield: Radioactive Materials

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what proportion of nuclear material currently stored at Sellafield came from installations in Scotland.

Andrea Leadsom: Magnox fuel (including material from the Dounreay Fast Breeder Reactor) and Advanced Gas Reactor fuel comes to Sellafield from Scotland for interim storage and, where appropriate, reprocessing. By mass, the current proportion of spent fuel stored at Sellafield coming from installations in Scotland is about 3% for Magnox fuel and 30% for Oxide fuel. In addition, there are small quantities of material that have arisen from historic nuclear research activities undertaken between Dounreay and Sellafield.Where fuels have been reprocessed, yielding radioactive bi-products and wastes, it is not practicable to attempt to quantify those materials originating from installations in Scotland as a proportion the total inventory of materials held at Sellafield.

Energy: Meters

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether it is her policy to allow alternatives to in-home displays to be used in the smart meter rollout.

Andrea Leadsom: Energy suppliers are required to offer their domestic customers an In Home Display (IHD) where they install a smart metering system, enabling consumers to visualise how much energy they use, when they use it and how much it costs them in near real time. There is strong evidence that IHDs are instrumental to energy savings, as set out in the Smart Metering Impact Assessment and the findings of the Early Learning Project published in March 2015. IHDs facilitate a significant proportion of the expected benefits of the smart metering programme (some £4.3 billion).Energy suppliers are able to offer their customers, where they so choose, other engagement tools in addition to the IHD. However there is a lack of evidence on the enduring consumer benefits of alternative engagement tools within Great Britain. The Government is currently consulting on proposals to allow suppliers to undertake, with the Secretary of State’s approval on a case by case basis, trials of alternative energy use engagement tools to IHDs. This will help DECC to gather evidence on the performance of other approaches, to understand if the IHD requirement remains optimised for the costs and benefits accruing to consumers.The consultation can be found on the following weblink:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/smart-meter-in-home-display-licence-conditions.

Civil Nuclear Constabulary: Dounreay

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many police officers, at each rank, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary are deployed at Dounreay nuclear power station; and whether she plans to increase the number of such officers.

Andrea Leadsom: Security at Dounreay nuclear site is a high priority for the Government. However, the Government does not comment on security at nuclear sites. Allocation of officers at Dounreay nuclear site is subject to the same processes and rules as other civil nuclear sites in the United Kingdom as regulated by the Office of Nuclear Regulation.

Sellafield: Security

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the Sellafield site security costs were in each of the last five years; and what those costs are projected to be in each of the next five years.

Andrea Leadsom: Security at Sellafield is a high priority for the Government. However, the Government does not comment on security at nuclear sites. Expenditure on security is subject to the same processes and rules as other public expenditure.

Renewable Energy

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the total renewable installed capacity was on 30 June 2015.

Andrea Leadsom: At the end of March 2015, total renewable electricity installed capacity in the UK was 26.4 GW. Figures as at end of June 2015 will be available on 24 September 2015.Source:Table 6.1, Energy Trends section 6: renewables, available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-trends-section-6-renewables.

Smart Data Communications Company: Small Businesses

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she has taken to remove barriers to small energy providers using the services of the Data Communications Company.

Andrea Leadsom: DECC has undertaken a continuous programme of outreach with independent suppliers. This has allowed us to monitor their views on a range of issues, including costs and their ability to use the services of the Data Communications Company (DCC). One challenge we recognised independent suppliers may face was the cost effective procurement of adaptor software enabling them to access DCC services. Over the last twelve to eighteen months, this challenge has been taken up by a number of commercial providers bringing managed service IT solutions to the market which allow independent suppliers to access the DCC with minimal upfront cost. We will continue to monitor the situation to verify that smaller suppliers are able to access the DCC services satisfactorily.

Smart Data Communications Company: Small Businesses

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the fixed charge system outlined in the Smart Energy Code on the ability of small energy providers to access the services of the Data Communications Company.

Andrea Leadsom: The Data Communications Company (DCC) charges for access to the DCC’s services in proportion to suppliers’ market share, calculated on a meter point basis, rather than an equal amount per supplier. This is designed to strike a balance between ensuring a fair contribution from all parties who will have access to the DECC services, and not disadvantaging those parties that are likely to use these services less than others.The amount small energy providers will pay in fixed charges is therefore directly reflective of their smaller customer base and likely more limited use of the system that results from their lower market share.

Hydroelectric Power: Scotland

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2015 to Question 4551, if she will request that Ofgem consider whether, given that SSE's cost of generating hydro power is comparatively lower than the cost of a gas-fired plant the additional charges being levied by SSE to maintain supply in the Highlands and Islands is appropriate.

Andrea Leadsom: Electricity supplied to consumers in the Highlands and Islands region is produced by a range of generation types traded in a competitive market across GB. The electricity retail price paid by consumers in the Highlands and Islands, or any other given region, is not therefore determined by the predominant generation type in that region.The particular challenges of electricity supply in the Highlands and Islands – primarily related to the relatively large and sparsely populated terrain – mean that it costs more to distribute electricity here than elsewhere. There are two UK Government schemes which ensure consumers in this region do not bear an unreasonable burden of these costs. The Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme is providing an assistance amount of £57m in 2015/16 to all consumers in the North of Scotland, which is funded through charges on all licensed electricity suppliers across GB. The Common Tariff Obligation ensures electricity suppliers in the North of Scotland are not able to charge comparable domestic consumers different prices solely on the basis of their location within the region and protects consumers in remote rural areas from the relatively high costs of supplying electricity in these areas.

Fossil Fuels: Subsidies

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if the Government will make it its policy to eliminate all indirect and direct fossil fuel subsidies within the present Parliament.

Andrea Leadsom: The UK does not have any fossil fuel subsidies. The Government sees clear benefits from climate, domestic energy security and budgetary stability perspectives, of phasing out such subsidies internationally. Therefore, where helpful, we will continue to aid the global effort to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. The UK remains a strong supporter of the G20 commitment to rationalise and phase out, over the medium term, inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption. You may also be aware that my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced that the UK will support the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Communique - which is to be presented at the Climate Change negotiations in Paris later this year - calling for more action on this matter.

Energy Supply

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if the Government will allocate infrastructure funding to support grid upgrades and enable a low-carbon future.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government recognises the vital role that networks play in meeting our low-carbon ambitions. It is for Ofgem, as the independent regulator, to allocate funding to network companies for grid upgrades. In the latest 8-year regulatory price controls Ofgem has allowed funding of up to £21.5bn [1] for electricity transmission and £24.6bn [2] for electricity distribution to expand, replace and maintain the networks.[1] 2009-10 prices[2] 2012-13 prices

Energy Supply

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will bring forward proposals to change Ofgem regulations to allow distribution network operator companies to upgrade grid infrastructure speculatively, in order that they may plan ahead for new renewable energy.

Andrea Leadsom: Ofgem, as the independent regulator, has consulted on allowing greater anticipatory investment in electricity distribution networks. It expects to publish its views and next steps by the end of September. The consultation and responses are available at:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/quicker-and-more-efficient-distribution-connections.

Tidal Power: Swansea

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when the negotiations for a Contract for Difference for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project will be concluded.

Andrea Leadsom: We hope to conclude initial due diligence of the project, including a value for money assessment, by the end of the financial year. We will take a decision on progressing to the next phase of the project at this point.

Environment Protection: Finance

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if her Department will consult openly on what scheme will succeed ECO and the Green Deal, and in that consultation address the issues of (a) accessibility of funding for community groups, (b) fuel bill levies and (c) quality assurance.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government is committed to working closely with industry and consumer groups on a new value for money approach to the future policy framework for energy efficiency, learning lessons from past approaches. The Government is also committed to keeping energy bills as low as possible as part of a long-term, coherent and affordable policy framework. The longer-term future of ECO will be part of these discussions around a new, better-integrated policy and we will formally consult on changes to ECO regulations at the appropriate moment. In the meantime we have been and will continue to engage with stakeholders about all aspects of a new policy framework including accessibility of funding for community groups. The Government has also commissioned an independent review led by Peter Bonfield to investigate consumer advice, protection, standards and enforcement of energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes and to ensure that the system properly supports and protects consumers.

Energy: Conservation

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if the Government will make it its policy to set energy efficiency targets higher than those set out in the 2015 Conservative election manifesto.

Andrea Leadsom: Alongside its specific manifesto commitment of insulating a million more homes over the next five years, supporting our commitment to tackle fuel poverty, this Government is also committed to keeping energy bills as low as possible as part of a long-term, coherent and affordable policy framework. We are also guided by our legally binding objectives on tackling fuel poverty and carbon, which require us to cut the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the period 2023-2027, which we will do as cost effectively as possible, and to enable as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable to reach energy efficiency Band C by 2030.

Energy: Prices

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to ensure that domestic energy suppliers are passing on reductions in the wholesale prices of electricity and gas to consumers.

Andrea Leadsom: Strong competition in the energy supply market is the best way to keep prices down. The Government is committed to ensuring that the market works effectively for consumers, including through implementing the final recommendations of the Competition and Markets Authority following their investigation. In the meantime we will continue our focus on keeping bills down through promoting competition, making switching quicker and easier, and providing direct help to the most vulnerable.

Offshore Industry: Scotland

Phil Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to ensure that core UKCS Oil and Gas infrastructure is identified, supported and rendered fit-for-purpose for the long-term development of marginal fields and future significant fields off the west coast of Scotland, and for transportation and distribution around the UK.

Andrea Leadsom: The Oil and Gas Authority’s Call to Action report highlighted the risk that low profitability in producing fields could lead to premature decommissioning of critical infrastructure. It is important to avoid decommissioning for as long as possible and the OGA is as a priority working with companies to facilitate discussions, remove barriers to cooperation and encourage investment. In addition it is conducting rigorous economic assessments of key production hubs to explore the drivers of continued investment, including fiscal levers. Work is also taking place to facilitate the preparation of Regional Development Plans for critical regions of the North Sea, building on data provided by operators.

Energy: Prices

Anna Turley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the average domestic energy bill in (a) Redcar constituency, (b) the North East and (c) the UK in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2015.

Andrea Leadsom: Energy bill data are only produced at regional level. The tables below show the average annual domestic energy bill for the North East public electricity supply area, which includes Redcar constituency, and the UK. Bill estimates are shown for the years 2010 and 2014, the most recent data available, and are based on fixed consumption levels of 3,800kWh/year for electricity and 15,000 kWh/year for gas. The bills provided are averaged across all methods of payment and expressed in cash terms.North EastElectricityGasCombined2010£462£562£1,0242014£589£737£1,326UK averageElectricityGasCombined2010£474£564£1,0382014£592£752£1,344Estimates of average domestic energy bills by region are derived from data in tables 2.2 and 2.3 of DECC’s Quarterly Energy Prices publication.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/annual-domestic-energy-price-statistics.

Opencast Mining: Safety

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what (a) representations and (b) advice she has received on health and safety at unrestored open-cast coal mines in the UK.

Andrea Leadsom: With regard to the general issue of the restoration of former opencast coal mining sites in Wales and Scotland in addition to meeting the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Natural Resources on 16 July 2015 and a meeting with the hon. Members for Bridgend; Ogmore; Aberavon; and Kilmarnock and Loudoun on 9 September 2015 I have received written communications from other hon. Members and representations of the Welsh Assembly Government and Scottish Government. Officials from the Department’s Coal Liabilities Unit will be travelling to Wales next month to meet with Welsh Government and Local Authority officials, along with those directly affected, to discuss the matter. In the meantime my Department’s Non-Departmental Public Body, the Coal Authority, has provided expert advice to Local Authorities on calculating the level of security required for future surface mine operations to ensure the restoration costs are covered should the mining company no longer be in a position to carry out the work.In relation to the health and safety of these sites, this is a matter for the individual Local Authorities.

Attorney General

Reyaad Khan

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 7 September 2015, Official Report, column 30, on counter-terrorism, whether he held discussions or received representations from other government lawyers on the legal basis for the military action against Reyaad Khan in Syria.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 7 September 2015, Official Report, column 30, on counter-terrorism, whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's legal adviser was consulted on the legal basis for the military action against Reyaad Khan in Syria.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the Statement by the Prime Minister of 7 September 2015, on Syria: Refugees and Counter-terrorism, Official Report, column 30, what the legal basis was for the targeted killing of British citizens by remote control drone in Syria.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 7 September 2015, Official Report, column 30, whether the legal advice provided on the targeted killing of British citizens by remote control drone in Syria covers future targeted killings of UK citizens or if new and separate advice will have to be sought for any future such killings.

Jeremy Wright: The Prime Minister gave a detailed statement on 7 September 2015 in which he informed the House that I was consulted on the action and was clear that there would be a legal basis for action in international law. By long-standing convention, reflected in the Cabinet Manual, the content of the Law Officers’ advice is not disclosed outside government without the consent of the Law Officers. As I explained in my oral evidence to the Justice Select Committee on the 15th September (HC 409), the convention should be adhered to in this case.

Social Networking

Henry Smith: To ask the Attorney General, what steps his Department is taking to improve public understanding of the legal framework applicable to social media.

Jeremy Wright: Judging by the number of referrals from members of the public to my office there is clearly some awareness of the legal framework applicable to social media but I have sought to increase this awareness by, for example, issuing online warnings on social media, including Twitter, in appropriate cases.In relation to the commission of criminal offences by social media users, the Crown Prosecution Service has also issued detailed guidelines to prosecutors on handling cases involving communications sent via social media.

Wales Office

Devolution: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will publish all representations received by the Government from the Welsh Government in relation to the forthcoming Wales Bill.

Stephen Crabb: The Government is discussing detailed aspects of the draft Wales Bill with the Welsh Government. The Government has no plans to publish representations made by the Welsh Government given the need for both Governments to maintain an open and frank dialogue on the content of the Bill.

Ministry of Justice

Written Questions: Government Responses

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when his Department plans to answer Question 8165 tabled by the hon. Member for Hammersmith on 21 July 2015.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The answer to 8165 was given on the 17th September 2015.

Courts: Sunderland

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if the Minister for Courts and Legal Aid will visit Sunderland Court with the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South and Sunderland Central.

Mr Shailesh Vara: I will seek an opportunity to discuss these important issues at a mutually convenient time and location.

Offenders: Foreign Nationals

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many convicted foreign national offenders are serving their sentence (a) in and (b) outside prison.

Andrew Selous: The latest statistics relating to foreign national offenders in custody in England and Wales are published in Prison population: April to June 2015, table 1.6 which can be found at the link below.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/offender-management-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2015The number of convicted foreign national offenders serving their sentence outside prison is not published due to data quality.

Sentencing: Appeals

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what procedures are in place in his Department to consider the implications of a decision by the Court of Appeal that a sentence has been unduly lenient; and what steps his Department takes in relation to the judge in the case concerned as a result of such a ruling.

Mike Penning: Whether or not a judge has correctly applied the law is a matter for the Court of Appeal alone. It is the responsibility of the Government to uphold the independence of the judiciary and that includes the judicial decision making process.  The unduly lenient scheme currently allows anyone to ask for a Government Law Officer to consider referring a sentence to the Court of Appeal for consideration that it was unduly lenient. The scheme applies to all indictable-only offences and a specified selection of either-way offences sentenced at the Crown Court.

Taxis: Guide Dogs

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the fine levels for offences related to section 168 of the Equality Act 2010.

Andrew Selous: The figures do not suggest that courts are finding their sentencing powers inadequate.

National Offender Management Service: Secondment

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the (a) total and (b) average monthly cost has been of the nationally co-ordinated detached duty scheme for prison officers since that scheme's introduction.

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average number of prison officers on detached duty was in each month since the introduction of the nationally co-ordinated detached duty scheme in October 2013.

Andrew Selous: Using centrally held financial records it is not possible, without incurring disproportionate cost, to determine the costs of the nationally coordinated detached duty scheme.Information on the average monthly provision of Band 3 to 5 prison officers received as part of the nationally coordinated detached duty scheme, since November 2013, are shown in the table below. November 2013 was the first full month of the nationally coordinated detached duty scheme.Average provision of Band 3 to 5 Prison Officers on detached duty to public sector prisons in England & Wales, November 2013 - June 2015Month Equivalent Full Time OfficersNov 2013110Dec 2013210Jan 2014210Feb 2014160Mar 2014130Apr 2014210May 2014160Jun 2014170Jul 2014230Aug 2014240Sep 2014230Oct 2014240Nov 2014230Dec 2014240Jan 2015260Feb 2015230Mar 2015210Apr 2015190May 2015260Jun 2015270All figures in the tables are rounded to the nearest 10, with numbers ending in 5 rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. Rounding to 10 accurately depicts the level of certainty that is held with these figures. Values of 5 or fewer are denoted as ‘~’

Taxis: Guide Dogs

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to powers under section 87 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, if he will raise the fines for refusal to carry an assistance dog in a taxi to level 4.

Andrew Selous: Changing the maximum fine from one level to another would need to be effected through changes to the legislation governing the offence (The Equalities Act 2010).Figures from the courts database do not indicate that courts are finding their sentencing powers inadequate, or that there is a need to raise the maximum level of fine available.

Care Proceedings

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the reasons were for each application made by local authorities in England and Wales for care orders in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) January to March 2015.

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the reasons were for which each care order was granted to a local authority in England and Wales in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) January to March 2015.

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the reasons were for each application made by local authorities in England and Wales for emergency protection orders in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) January to March 2015.

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the reasons were for which each emergency protection order was granted to a local authority in England and Wales in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) January to March 2015.

Caroline Dinenage: This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Courts

Sir Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations he has received on the continuance of the criminal courts; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Selous: I have received clarification that the Honourable and Learned member was referring to the Criminal Courts Charge To date my department has received representations from the magistracy, defence practitioners, the Law Society and the Bar Council It is important that this change, which has been approved by Parliament to make sure our justice system is fair and that those who offend pay their way, is given time to bed in. This will allow us to form an appropriate view. The government will be reviewing the provisions in due course.

Ministry of Justice: Synnex-Concentrix UK

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to publish the Synnex-Concentrix business case.

Mr Shailesh Vara: I refer the honourable member to the answer given to PQ 4457 on 9th July 2015.

Prisons: Discipline

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether any prisoners in HM Prisons have been deprived of (a) water and (b) electricity by prison officials as a disciplinary measure in the last five years.

Andrew Selous: Neither deprivation of water nor of electricity is sanctioned as a disciplinary measure within prisons in England and Wales.

Scotland Office

Environment Protection: Taxation

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many meetings he has had with HM Treasury to discuss the potential effects in Scotland of a carbon price support exemption scheme in the last year.

David Mundell: I have had a number of meetings and discussions on the important issue of opencast restoration and in particular the proposal for a carbon price support exemption. These have included discussions with colleagues from HM Treasury, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Scottish Government and Local Authorities.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Labour Turnover

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the level of staff turnover has been in (a) his Department and (b) the Government Digital Service in each of the last six months for which data is available.

Matthew Hancock: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Government Digital Service: Resignations

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff members have resigned from the Government Digital Service  since May 2015.

Matthew Hancock: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Unemployment

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made in reducing unemployment in (a) Kettering constituency and (b) England since 2010.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter to Member - Unemployment
(PDF Document, 130.33 KB)

Electoral Register

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate the Government has made of the number of carry-forward electors in each (a) region and (b) local authority who have not yet registered under individual electoral registration.

John Penrose: Individual electoral registration is essential to tackle electoral fraud and ensure a clean democratic process. 96% of electors in Great Britain have already transferred to the new IER registers. As the Electoral Commission has said, many of these retained entries are likely to be redundant, for example because of electors moving home. The latest figures on electors yet to be registered, broken down to local authority and regional level, are available here:http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/excel_doc/0007/190465/IER-May-2015-electoral-registers-data.xlsxThese figures do not take into account the annual canvass, which is currently underway, with extra Government funding available to help Local Authorities contact carry forwards specifically by the end of the year. We expect the number of carry forward entries remaining on the register to be reduced substantially as a result of this work.

Older People

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of UK residents aged 100 years and over between 2015 and 2025.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter to Member - Residents age 100 and over
(PDF Document, 65.56 KB)

Electoral Register: Finance

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 16 July 2015, on Individual Electoral Registration (IER), HCWS 127, which local authorities have received any of the additional £3 million funding; and how much such additional funding each local authority has received so far to target their non IER registered carry-forward electors.

John Penrose: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Iraq Committee of Inquiry

Mr David Davis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2015 to Question 9949, what the (a) total number of working hours Government lawyers have spent advising recipients of Salmon Letters in the Iraq Inquiry and (b) cost to the public purse of that advice is.

Matthew Hancock: Government will account for its costs at the end of the Inquiry.

Teenage Pregnancy

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of (a) teenage, (b) 15 year old, (c) 16 year old and (d) 17 year old girls (i) became pregnant and (ii) gave birth in each local authority area in the most recent three-year period for which figures are available.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



Excel Attachment for Member
(Excel SpreadSheet, 52.77 KB)




UKSA Letter for Member 
(PDF Document, 113.55 KB)

Electronic Voting: Security

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance on cybersecurity and verification of identity in electronic elections his Department offers to organisations outside Government that are conducting such elections.

Matthew Hancock: Cabinet Office has responsibilities for elections and cyber security. We do not have electronic voting in statutory elections in the UK, such as UK Parliamentary and local government elections, and the Government does not have plans to introduce this. However, since summer 2014 in England and Wales, and autumn 2014 in Scotland, applicants have been able to apply online to register to vote, atwww.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The most relevant Government guidance on the verification of identity is CESG’s (the information security arm of GCHQ) Good Practice Guide 45 “Identity proofing and verification of an individual”, which is available on GOV.UK.

House of Commons Commission

House of Commons: Working Hours

Patrick Grady: To ask the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2015 to Question 9407, what estimate the Commission has made of the cost of overtime payments to staff resulting from late sittings of the House in each year since 2010.

Patrick Grady: To ask the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2015 to Question 9407, what the average cost per hour is of late sittings of the House.

Tom Brake: A late sitting can refer to either an occasion when the House sits beyond its likely scheduled rise (i.e. 10.30pm on Monday, 7.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, 5.30pm on Thursday); or whenever the House sits beyond 10.00pm.Two types of payments are made to staff in order to support evening sittings, including late sittings: the Unsocial Hours Payment (UHP), an annual flat-rate allowance paid across the year to staff required to work to an unspecified time during evening sittings; and the Evening Additional Hours (EAH) payment which reflects the number of additional hours worked after 6pm, paid at a standard rate from 1800 to 2230 and at a higher rate after 2230. Additionally, in certain circumstances overtime may be paid to staff which may or may not be related to the House’s sitting hours. These payments are not reflected in this answer as the records do not indicate in which circumstances they were made to support late sittings. A late night taxi service is provided to staff who are required to work late; this service is only available after 2300.Security staff are employed by the Metropolitan Police Service and are paid in accordance with their terms and conditions of employment.The costs of UHP, EAH and the late night taxi service in each year since 2010–11 was as follows:YearUnsocial Hours Allowance*Evening hours payment*Travel CostsTotal Cost2010–2011£373,409.48£473,171.13£376,892.69£1,223,473.292011–2012£345,556.57£503,810.57£369,859.62£1,219,226.772012–2013£334,516.90£433,007.60£264,314.70£1,031,839.202013–2014£333,091.84£412,079.02£239,546.70£984,717.562014–2015£367,756.14£341,638.12£141,814.10£851,208.36Total£1,754,303.93£2,163,706.44£1,392,427.81£5,310,465.18* Inclusive of NI and pension contributionsIt is not possible meaningfully to equate these staffing costs related to evening sittings to an average overall cost per hour of late night sittings for two reasons: firstly, costs for other types of marginal expenditure related to late sittings, such as utilities charges, are not recorded separately; secondly, the staffing costs are paid to facilitate all sittings after 6.00pm, rather than “late” sittings specifically, whether defined as after 10.00pm or beyond the likely scheduled rise.

House of Commons: Pay

Gavin Newlands: To ask the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, how many people employed by the House of Commons (a) directly and (b) indirectly are not receiving a wage of at least £7.85 an hour.

Tom Brake: The House of Commons is an accredited London Living Wage Employer. In order to obtain our accreditation, the House has to satisfy the Living Wage Foundation that no directly employed or contracted workers engaged to work on the Parliamentary Estate are paid less than the London Living Wage (LLW), currently £9.15 an hour.All contractors and their sub-contractors with staff based in London providing services to the House have agreed to pay at least the London Living Wage to those of their staff working on contracts for the House; or, in the case of staff working for contractors outside London, at least the Living Wage of £7.85 an hour. These contractual requirements are included within our Standard Terms and Conditions of Contract.